Huge blaze rips through old mill next to Strangeways prison

A BLAZE has raged through an old mill opposite Strangeways prison in Manchester.

Crews are battling the fire which broke out in a furniture shop next to the jail in the early hours of this morning.

Ten fire engines have been called to the scene with firefighters trying to put out on the blaze on the top floor of the four-storey building.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said it had been called to the fire at 4.51am and that crews remain at the scene.

On Twitter people have shared photos of flames ripping through the old mill and plumes of thick smoke billowing from the building.

It is not known if the fire poses a security threat to Strangeways, now known as HMP Manchester.

The prison has held some of Britain’s most notorious inmates, including one-eyed cop killer Dale Cregan, and was the site of a 25-day riot in 1990.