A LARGE foundry that employs up to 50 people has been declared structurally unsafe and could be demolished after a major fire in Bolton town centre.

The Shakespeare Foundry blaze, which started just before 3.15pm yesterday, could have been started by a spark from the processes taking place in the foundry, investigators believe.

Firefighters were still at the scene all day today tackling the remnants of the fire.

All three floors of the building in Salop Street were affected by the fire, which sent up plumes of smoke that were visible across Bolton and parts of Bury.

Three fire engines and an aerial platform were on the scene until midnight, with two crews there overnight until this morning and one relief crew in action today.

Structural engineers and Bolton Council’s dangerous buildings inspector have now declared the building structurally unsafe, and it is believed the fire service is seeking legislation to prohibit anyone entering the foundry because it is too dangerous. 

The structural engineer appointed by the company is expected to begin inspecting the building tomorrow, and will have to decide whether or not the foundry should be demolished.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “We remain at the scene to monitor the incident and provide assistance.

“There is severe damage to the building, and crews are expected to remain in Salop Street until this evening.”

An official fire inspection report explaining the cause of the blaze is yet to be published, but firefighters believe there are no suspicious circumstances.

Salop Street has been shut this afternoon, but Stafford Street has now reopened.

Shakespeare Foundry, which was established in 1982, specialises in making heat-resistant steel plates for the cement and mining industries.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “The council’s dangerous buildings instructor has been on site and has found the building is unsafe for members of the public to enter it.

“We have asked the company to make all entrances to the building secure so the building is closed to the public.

“We have also instructed the company to appoint a structural engineer to do a full survey of the building, and analyse its structural soundness.”

She added that there was no risk to people walking past the outside of the building.

Fire crews were expected to stay on site to damp down small smouldering fires at the side of the building until this evening.

The owners of the Shakespeare Foundry were unavailable for comment.

The Bolton News:

Smoke from the fire could be seen all over Bolton. Picture: Laura Withall