FIREFIGHTERS from across the north west were called to a major fire in Warrington last week.

Fire crews from Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside were called to ADY Pallets, on Antrim Road, at 1pm on Friday to deal with the fire.

Black smoke poured from the pallet yard as 15 fire engines desperately tried to control the blaze, which was threatening to spread to the neighbouring Eddie Stobart warehouse.

The pall of smoke from the blaze was visible from miles away.

A spokesman at Birchwood fire station said that the danger of explosion was very high, as the neighbouring warehouse was stocked with firelighters.

Vehicles had to be dragged out of the area, and leftover cylinders had to be cooled down to avoid any blasts.

The spokesman said: "We put a water curtain down between the fire and the warehouse while other teams, inside the warehouse, were keeping things cool."

After the fire had been extinguished, four fire crews remained at the pallet yard to damp down the area and cool the cylinders.

Environment Agency officials were on hand at the site to give fire officers advice on the large volumes of smoke being emitted.

The cause of the fire was not known as the Guardian went to press.