Bury Metal Recycling Centre Fire: Six Engines Sent To Birch Street 2026

Key Points

• Six fire engines from throughout Greater Manchester arrived at the site of the fire at Global Ardour Recycling Limited in Birch Street, Bury, at approximately 12.30am on Tuesday, October 6.
• The fire service worked together with the police using specialist tools to bring the fire under control; firefighters stayed at the scene for nearly six hours.
• The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service suggested that residents living close to the scene of the fire should keep their windows and doors shut and stay away from the area as a result of smoke.
• Witnesses said that they heard an explosion or explosions occurring during the fire.
• According to the company spokesman, it is believed that the cause of the fire was a burning battery at the back of the scrapyard.
• There were no casualties and all staff members were said to be safe, and the main building was undamaged.
• Several sections of the recycling yard got flooded following firefighting activities; two trucks would be required to clear out the water.
• Washington Garage, which is located next door to the company, has stated that it was unaffected by the fire.
• The police were called to the scene and road closures took place.

Bury Fire (Manchester Mirror) October 06, 2026 — Fire crews tackled a major blaze at a metal recycling centre on Birch Street in Bury during the early hours of Tuesday, October 6, after six fire engines were sent to the industrial site near the town centre.

As reported by the Bury Times, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called at around 12.30am following reports of a fire at the metal recycling centre. The service said:

“At around 00:30am this morning (Tuesday 6 October), six fire engines from across Greater Manchester were called to reports of a fire at a metal recycling centre on Birch Street, Bury.”

The fire service said crews arrived quickly and worked alongside Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe. Firefighters used specialist equipment to put out the fire and remained in attendance for approximately six hours.

The site was later identified by the Bury Times and the Prestwich and Whitefield Guide as Global Ardour Recycling Limited, on Birch Street.

Why were residents told to close windows and doors?

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued a public warning while firefighters dealt with large volumes of smoke rising from the site. The service advised people living nearby to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, GMFRS said in a statement during the incident: “Due to the amount of smoke, residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed, and avoid the area.”

Photographs and footage shared during the response showed thick smoke rising above the recycling centre. The Manchester Evening News reported that firefighters used an aerial platform as part of the operation, while police implemented road closures.

Did residents hear explosions at the Bury scrapyard?

Several people living near Birch Street reported hearing loud noises that sounded like explosions during the fire. As reported by the Bury Times, residents described hearing what sounded like an “explosion” while emergency crews responded to the blaze.

The fire service’s public statement did not confirm the cause of those reported sounds. It confirmed only that six engines attended, crews made the area safe, specialist equipment was used, and firefighters were present for about six hours.

What is the suspected cause of the fire?

A spokesperson for Global Ardour Recycling Limited told the Bury Times that the fire is believed to have started after a battery caught alight at the rear of the scrapyard.

The company said all members of staff were safe and that no injuries were reported. It also said the main building had not been damaged by the fire.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service did not confirm the suspected cause in its statement. The Hits Radio report said the cause of the blaze was currently unknown, while the company’s account of a battery fire was reported separately by the Bury Times.

How badly was the recycling centre affected?

Although the main building was reported undamaged, the recycling centre was left with flooding across parts of the scrapyard after the fire was brought under control. When the Bury Times visited the scene, water could be seen across parts of the site as workers began dealing with the aftermath.

A company spokesperson said the flooding was caused by a combination of factors, including the large volume of water used to extinguish the fire. Two lorries were due to attend the site to pump out the water, and some vehicles had to be moved to give them access.

Despite the disruption, the spokesperson said the incident had “not really” affected the company’s operations.

Were nearby businesses affected?

Neighbouring business Washington Garage said it had not been affected by the fire. The Bury Times reported this after visiting the Birch Street area following the emergency response.

The fire occurred near Bury town centre, in an area that includes residential properties, the Bury ambulance station and an industrial estate. The Manchester Evening News reported that Birch Street is close to a Tesco Extra supermarket.

When did emergency crews leave the scene?

Firefighters were in attendance for around six hours after being called shortly after 12.30am. The Manchester Evening News reported that the fire was brought under control and emergency crews left after roughly six hours, with police leaving the location later on Tuesday morning.

The fire service did not release a casualty figure in its statement. The company later confirmed that no staff members were injured and that the main building had not been damaged.

Background of the development

Birch Street lies just north of Bury town centre and includes residential properties, the Bury ambulance station and industrial premises. The Manchester Evening News reported that the area is close to a Tesco Extra supermarket and contains a scrapyard within an industrial estate.

The affected business, Global Ardour Recycling Limited, operates a metal recycling site on Birch Street. The Bury Times identified the company as the site affected by the blaze and reported its account that a battery at the rear of the scrapyard was believed to have caught alight.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the fire and rescue authority for the area and regularly issues public safety advice during incidents involving smoke, road closures or potential hazards. Its statement in this case directed nearby residents to keep windows and doors shut and to avoid the area while crews worked.

Prediction: How could this affect Bury residents and businesses?

For residents near Birch Street, the immediate impact is likely to be concern about air quality, disruption from emergency activity and caution around the recycling site while water is removed. The fire service’s advice to keep windows and doors closed reflected the smoke risk during the incident, and residents may continue to monitor local updates as the site is cleared.

For Global Ardour Recycling, the flooding and the need to move vehicles for water-pumping lorries could create short-term operational disruption, even though the company said its operations had “not really” been affected. The reported damage was limited to flooding rather than the main building, which may reduce the longer-term impact on the business.

For neighbouring firms and road users, the incident highlights the potential for temporary road closures, access restrictions and emergency-service activity around Birch Street. Businesses such as Washington Garage reported no impact, but future incidents at industrial sites in the area could again require residents and workers to follow police and fire-service safety advice.