What is the name and location of the fire?
On June 22, 2026, a large fire broke out at a recycling plant on Everite Road in Widnes, Cheshire, England. The blaze ignited at noon and was declared a major incident in the evening due to the size of the fire and the heavy smoke plume.
The fire involved an estimated 700 tonnes of cardboard stored at the facility, and the single-storey building where it originated was at risk of structural collapse (1).
Which cities or areas are affected by the Everite Road Fire?
The fire's heavy black smoke plume has affected air quality across a wide area, with smoke visible from:
- Cheshire
- Liverpool
- Lancashire
- Manchester
Residents across these areas experienced noticeably degraded air quality, with one witness reporting that "the whole area smelled of chemicals and it was hard to breathe".
What is the current containment status of the Everite Road Fire?
As of June 23, 2026, the fire is well under control. Twenty fire engines from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, supported by crews from Lancashire and Greater Manchester, tackled the blaze.
Firefighters worked in three sectors to systematically extinguish the fire, with relief crews arriving to continue into the night. The number of crews on scene was reduced overnight, with firefighters continuing to damp down the fire. The smoke plume was reported to be reducing as progress was made (2).
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
No formal evacuation orders were issued. However, Cheshire Police Superintendent Sam Billington urged all nearby residents to stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area, and multiple road closures were put in place across Ditchfield Road, Hale Road, Marshgate, Liverpool Road, and Netherley Road. The public was also asked not to congregate at the scene to avoid hampering the emergency response.
How can I protect myself from fire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from fire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter fire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
