A massive Manchester fire broke out on Monday evening at the historic Hotspur House near the city centre, forcing nearby residents to evacuate and causing widespread travel disruptions. Flames spread to a neighbouring residential tower at 1 Cambridge Street, prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
According to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), embers from the blaze ignited parts of the adjoining apartment block, leading to a full evacuation of both buildings. Fortunately, the fire is no longer being treated as a major incident, but significant damage and travel delays remain.
Timeline of the Manchester Fire Incident
- The Manchester fire erupted around 5:00 PM GMT at Hotspur House, a former printing press building now under redevelopment.
- Thick smoke and visible flames quickly engulfed three floors of the building.
- Parts of the building collapsed, as seen in dramatic video footage shared on social media.
- Emergency services deployed 20 fire engines from across the region, including aerial units to control the blaze from above.
Residential Towers Evacuated
The GMFRS confirmed that both 1 Cambridge Street apartment blocks were evacuated due to safety concerns after the fire jumped to the complex. A safety cordon has been established on Cambridge Street, and officials urged the public to stay away.
Nearby residents were also advised to keep windows and doors closed to avoid smoke inhalation. Anyone left without shelter is being temporarily housed by Manchester City Council.
Train and Bus Disruption Across Manchester
The Manchester fire forced the closure of all lines through Manchester Oxford Road Station, one of the city’s major transit hubs. National Rail reported that all services were blocked, with cancellations and delays expected until at least 9:00 PM BST.
Rail Replacement and Diversion Services
- Northern arranged rail replacement buses from Manchester Oxford Road to Warrington Central at 6:20 PM and 6:25 PM.
- A 7:00 PM bus departed Manchester Oxford Road toward Earlestown, stopping at all stations.
- TransPennine Express requested replacement services for:
- Manchester Piccadilly ↔ Liverpool Lime Street
- Manchester Piccadilly ↔ Preston
- East Midlands Railway also confirmed standby buses at Warrington Central, Stockport, and Sheffield.
Customers were advised to use valid tickets on alternate services via Manchester Victoria using Transport for Greater Manchester’s free city bus link.
Background: Hotspur House and Redevelopment Plans
The building at the centre of the Manchester fire, also known as Medlock Mill, has stood since the 19th century and operated as a printing site until its closure in 1996. In May 2024, planning permission was granted to redevelop the structure into a 36-storey student tower by developer Manner.
However, the proposal was recently redesigned, and the revised plans are expected to be resubmitted to Manchester City Council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
