Massive Fire Engulfs Manchester's Hotspur Press, Smoke Seen for Miles
Wow, what an absolutely surreal and unsettling evening it's been here in Manchester. Just earlier today, June 23rd, a massive blaze broke out in one of the city’s most iconic old structures—the derelict Hotspur Press building, located right beside Oxford Road station. The flames took over fast and furiously, with thick, black smoke billowing so high that it was spotted from miles away—even from passengers on planes coming into Manchester Airport.
Now, for those who don’t know, the Hotspur Press holds a bit of history. Though no longer in use, it’s a landmark many locals recognize, right in the heart of the city. But today, that familiar silhouette turned into a glowing inferno. It was a shocking scene. Videos and photos flooded social media within minutes—showing roaring flames bursting from windows and dark clouds blanketing nearby streets and train lines.
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Emergency services were on the scene quickly, with fire crews battling hard to bring the situation under control. But it wasn’t just the fire that caused disruption—major train routes were thrown into chaos. Oxford Road Station had to be completely evacuated, and all lines through the station were blocked. Trains were delayed or outright canceled, and passengers were stranded, waiting for updates. National Rail reported that services might not resume normally until at least 9 p.m.
And then there were the road closures. Streets surrounding the area—including the A34 Oxford Street and Whitworth Street—were shut down in both directions to make room for emergency response. Some residents living near the building were also reportedly evacuated as a precaution. You could feel the tension and confusion in the air—people standing around, looking up at the sky in disbelief as dark smoke choked the skyline.
At this point, the cause of the fire hasn’t been confirmed, and the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Authorities are still gathering information. But what’s absolutely certain is the scale of this incident—it’s one of the largest city-centre fires Manchester has seen in recent years.
It’s always jarring to see such a historic structure engulfed like that. The Hotspur Press, even in its abandoned state, was part of Manchester’s story—a visual reminder of the city’s industrial past. And tonight, that piece of history has been reduced to flames and ash, leaving residents and city-goers stunned, concerned, and glued to the news for updates.
Let’s hope everyone in the area is safe, that the fire is fully contained soon, and that authorities can piece together what led to such a devastating event in the heart of our city.
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