This is the dramatic moment a wall collapses at a former cotton mill engulfed by flames.
Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at Oxford Mills, in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside.
Dramatic images show part of a wall collapsing as the huge fire tears through the mill.
A loud bang could bee heard by onlookers as the fire developed.
Around 50 firefighters are tackling the fire. They are expected to continue their work into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Residents at 50 homes in the area have been told they will be without electricity overnight.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the latest images
The fire at the former cotton mill broke out just after 3pm on Tuesday (August 6).
Crews were scrambled to the three-storey 19th century building, now used as a commercial unit, on Oxford Street.
The building was evacuated before Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) arrived.
The fire has also spread to an adjacent building.
A total of 11 pumps are being used by firefighters wearing specialist breathing gear.
Two aerial appliances are being used to douse the flames with water from above.
VIDEO: Wall collapses at Ashton-under-Lyne mill engulfed by flames
At its height, huge plumes of smoke could be seen in the sky above the building, as far away as Manchester city centre.
The smoke is travelling 'in a north easterly direction' towards Saddleworth and Mossley, GMFRS said.
Residents and traders have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
People are being warned to avoid the area.
Paul Etches, GMFRS area manager praised 'hardworking' firefighters who have been working steadily all evening.
"We expect to be at the scene into the early hours and have just provided fresh crews to handle the incident," he said.
"We have separated the scene into different sectors of firefighting, which is allowing us to focus our efforts on specific pockets and make steady progress.
“This fire is ongoing.
"I want to reassure local people that, although there is a lot of smoke in the area and we are still asking nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed, we are continuing to do everything we can to bring this fire fully under control."
A spokesperson for the service said electricity to some local properties has been affected and the council is assisting residents from around 50 homes which will have no power overnight.
Stockport Road, the A6017 between Guide Bridge railway station and St Peter’s Church, is closed to traffic. It is likely to remain closed into the morning.
A statement shared on the GMFRS website reads: “AT 3.12pm on August 6, 2019, ten fire engines were mobilised to a fire at a commercial unit in Oxford Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne.
“Fire crew currently in attendance are wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the fire from inside the building using jets.
“The building was evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire service. Firefighters will continue to carry out a search of the building.
“The three storey commercial building is now fully involved in fire, and fire has spread to an adjacent building.
"Eleven pumps are in attendance along with two aerial appliances which are putting water onto the fire from above.
“A large amount of smoke has been discharged over the local area and is travelling in a north easterly direction towards Saddleworth and Mossley.
“If you are local to the area please keep your doors and windows closed and avoid the immediate vicinity of the fire to allow our crew to work efficiently.”
