A significant fire has broken out in a derelict building in Manchester city centre, sending plumes of thick black smoke billowing across the skyline and causing widespread disruption. The blaze, which has engulfed the historic Hotspur Press building near Oxford Road station, is being tackled by numerous fire crews.
Emergency services were called to the scene on the evening of Monday, June 23, 2025, as flames were seen tearing through the empty structure. The fire has led to the closure of several roads and is impacting train services in the vicinity of Oxford Road station. Residents and onlookers have been advised to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and there have been no immediate reports of casualties. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are on the scene with multiple appliances working to bring the inferno under control. The iconic, disused industrial building has been a landmark in the city for many years.
This incident follows a separate fire in the Greater Manchester region over the weekend. On Sunday, June 22, a house fire in Bury resulted in five people being taken to the hospital. Fortunately, the North West Ambulance Service has since confirmed that none of them sustained serious injuries.
In another major incident, a fire at a Storage World facility in Middleton has been burning for several days. The scale of the blaze will necessitate the complete demolition of the building.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and to keep windows and doors closed in areas affected by smoke from the city centre fire. Further updates are expected as firefighters continue to battle the blaze at the Hotspur Press building.
