Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service say eight fire engines and three specialist appliances have been dispatched to the scene.

"At around 7.15pm today (Tuesday 21 April), eight fire engines and three specialist appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to a building fire on Milltown Street, Radcliffe," a spokesperson said in an update.

"Crews arrived quickly and are using jets and turntable ladders to extinguish the fire. Residents are asked to avoid the area and close their windows and doors if they live nearby."

A large plume of smoke has been visible over Radcliffe this evening since a fire broke out at around 7:50pm. Firefighters remain at the scene, where water is being used from the nearby River Irwell to help tackle the blaze.

A large plume of smoke seen from the building on Milltown Street(Image: MEN)

Anyone living near the building on Milltown Street in Radcliffe has been told to keep their windows and doors closed as fire crews continue to tackle a large fire which has generated a "large plume of smoke" in the area.

"The fire is generating a large plume of smoke so please avoid the area and close your windows and doors if you live nearby," Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said in an earlier statement.

Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze at a derelict building in Radcliffe this evening.

Images from the scene show a huge fireball surrounded by a plume of thick smoke, with a hose seen pointing towards the structure on Milltown Street.

Firefighters at the derelict building in Radcliffe(Image: ASP)

Locals have been told to close their windows and doors(Image: ASP)

Fire crews are using water from the nearby River Irwell to help tackle the blaze. The public have been urged to avoid the area.

The fire has broken out on Milltown Street in Radcliffe(Image: Google)

According to a witness, a "really large explosion" has occurred at the scene of the blaze today, Manchester Evening News reports.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Our crews are currently tackling a derelict building fire on Milltown Street, Radcliffe. The fire is generating a large plume of smoke so please avoid the area and close your windows and doors if you live nearby."