A FIRE ripped through a mill in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters are still on the scene of the blaze in Morton Street, Failsworth, where initial crews were mobilised just before 5.30am.

Eight fire engines and two aerial appliances fought the fire at its height, which covered an area of 50 metres by 50 metre and five sectors of the mill.

Electricity to a number of local properties has been affected, with some home and businesses currently without power.

Residents are being asked to avoid the area and A62 Oldham Road is closed in both directions between Broadway and Droylsden Road.

Residents were asked to keep their doors and windows shut as crews brought the fire under control because of the large amount of smoke.

Group Manager Steve Jordan said: “I want to praise the work of our firefighters who are working extremely hard to extinguish this fire and are expected to remain at this incident for a number of hours.

“We are working closely with a number of partners and I’d also like to thank them for their hard work in supporting GMFRS.

Four fire engines and two aerial appliances remain on the scene and new crews are on scene to relieve firefighters who have worked throughout the morning

Firefighters are now damping down the building in two sectors using the aerial appliances.

Metrolink services on the Rochdale line are currently suspended.