A large plume of thick smoke engulfs an area in Manchester (Image: Facebook/MEN)
A large plume of smoke is billowing over a part of central Manchester this morning, with onlookers seeing it for miles.
A blaze appears to have broken out in an area between Gorton and Levenshulme, south-east of the city, with police setting up a cordon on Matthews Lane.
People have taken to social media to report the incident, with some people even mistaking the dense cloud for an incoming storm.
Many people have been querying the cause of the fire, with no confirmation as yet.
It is currently not yet known where the flames are coming from. Greater Manchester fire service has been contacted for more information.
This is a live blog. See below for the latest updates.
:
Police set up huge cordon
Manchester Evening News reporter Chris Slater is on the scene in Matthews Lane.
He has reported that there is a large cordon around the fire with a police and fire presence.
Iu2019m on Matthews Lane, part of which has been closed to traffic, and which is at the perimeter of the large cordon. There area a huge number of police and fire service vehicles here at the scene
u2014 Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN)
Footage of the huge flames from the blaze
A video clip shows the huge flames billowing from the fire in the Levenshulme/Gorton area.
It is believed the blaze is near Matthews Lane.
Dramatic footage shows huge flames and plumes of smoke billowing from fire in Manchester
u2014 Ashlie Blakey (@ashlieblakey)
Images from the scene
Smoke can be seen over Manchester.
Smoke can be seen over Manchester. (Image: Facebook)
Smoke can be seen over Manchester. (Image: Facebook)
What we know so far
Huge plumes of smoke have been spotted billowing over Manchester this morning amid reports of a fire.
The thick black smoke has been spotted over areas in Gorton and Levenshulme.
Pictures and videos show the smoke billowing into the air for miles around.