Huge blaze destroys Greater Manchester storage facility

A Greater Manchester storage facility has been destroyed after a fire ripped through it over the weekend.

Big Yellow Group, which owns the Armadillo Self Storage Unit, said it has now made contact with all its 650 customers and will be assisting them with their insurance claim.

The inferno started at 1am on Saturday morning and was tackled by more than 100 firefighters.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Greater Manchester Fire Brigade and the Police and is at this stage unknown.

Big Yellow Group confirmed there were no staff members or customers on site when the fire started and there have been no injuries.

It also added the store is a leasehold with five years remaining on the lease, and the balance sheet value of this store at 30 September 2021 was £3.3m.

Risk insurance is also in place for the full reinstatement value with the landlord.

It also has insurance cover in place for both a fit out and four years loss of income.

The group said: “This is a difficult time for all our affected customers and some of the possessions stored with us can never be replaced, and we are very saddened that this incident occurred.”

Incident commander Group Manager Cunningham said over the weekend: “I want to praise the hard work of our firefighters who have been working throughout the night and day on large, complex fire. Crews will remain on-site as long as is necessary.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our partners that have supported us during this incident, including United Utilities, Cheshire and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services, North West Fire Control as well as the Salvation Army, Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service.”