This picture of the incident at its height has been kindly supplied by
Stn.O. I Bailey, GMC Fire Service and is copyright to Mr. Bailey.
(This picture must not be reproduced without permission.)

This incident apparently occurred somewhere between 0530 and 0600 hrs.  The largest fire in Greater Manchester during 2002, it involved around 10,000 wooden pallets, (though television coverage suggested 1/4 million pallets) and also spread to buildings in the complex and destroyed about half a dozen cars there.  Surrounded by other large premises and due to the intense radiated heat, I am assured that this could easily have been twice as many pumps!  The smoke was visible, about 1/2 a mile from my home, well over 20 miles away.