PLUMES of smoke were sent up into the sky after a fire broke out at a town centre industrial estate.

The blaze in a building next to a garage in Sidney street affected around six cars and the smoke could be seen from as far as the A666 St Peter's Way.

Business owners and residents have all be evacuated and have formed a crowd near to the scene as fire crews tackle the flames.

A nearby business owner said that he does not believe anyone has been injured and that was confirmed by firefighters.

The man, who owns the garage on the site, said: "The fire has started in one of the buildings at the back. The owners are not here and I don't think anybody has been hurt.

"I own one of the garages on the site and I've been told there's no damage to my premises.

"I just saw the smoke and then the fire engines. It was shocking."

A GMFRS spokesman said: "At 12:53pm on Saturday, June 23, five fire engines from Bolton Central, Bolton North, Farnworth and Atherton were called to commercial building fire in Sidney Street, Bolton.

The fire involved a garage and affected around six cars. Crews checked out the adjacent warehouse as a precaution.

"Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were fighting the fire in two sections using two hose reels and two jets.

"Police are in attendance assisting with the incident and traffic management. Sidney Street is currently closed with minor diversions in place. Please avoid the area if possible."

Some of the roads around the area were closed to traffic as crews worked at the scene. 

The officer in charge, station manager Andy Hardman, said: “The incident has scaled down thanks to the hard work of our crews at the scene.

"The fire is now out and there are two fire engines still in attendance dampening down the affected garage.

"We have checked the adjacent warehouse as a precaution and fortunately there has been no fire spread or damage to the building.

“Nearby roads are still closed as crews work to close the incident so please avoid Sidney Street if you are in the area.”

It is not currently known what caused the fire but investigations were taking place.