VIDEO: Chester’s Shot Tower On Fire

Chester Shot Tower, also known as Boughton Shot Tower, suffered a fire this afternoon.

Final update: Police say Queens Avenue / Shot Tower Close, Chester are now open again, and have thanked people for their patience.

New Video:
Cheshire Fire Service have released the below video from the scene this afternoon:

UPDATE 4:40pm: The main seat of the fire has now been extinguished but firefighters are unable to access the top level of the building which is smouldering. The number of fire engines has now been reduced to two along with the hydraulic platform and the crews will monitor the incident.

UPDATE: The fire service say: “The external lift shaft and stairs are unsuitable for gaining entry to the building. The hydraulic platform is currently being repositioned so that the fire can be extinguished via a window.

“Firefighters are currently trying to establish links with a phone company regarding a live mast at the top of the building. Internal staircases are unsafe for the crews to use.”

UPDATE: Police have closed roads around the incident including City Road junction with Queens Road and the Shot Tower Close end of City Road. The fire service confirm: “The fire involves the top of the tower which is 168 feet tall and made from red brick.”

UPDATE: Fire service confirm five fire engines and the hydraulic platform in action at the Shot Tower incident.

At around 2:30pm reports on social media of smoke, then flames, being sighted high up in the tower began to surface including the below video posted by BaaBaa Design:

Fire by Waitrose #Chester pic.twitter.com/KHTAwi8OUk

—  Baabaa Design  (@baabaadesign) December 22, 2015

Several emergency service units are at the scene, with sirens heard across the city.
The circular red-brick tower is 168 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter at the base tapering to 20 feet at the top.

So, the shot tower is on fire… pic.twitter.com/HfSiKBKwQa

— Alison Knott (@AlisonShearerK) December 22, 2015

Police & Fire Engines now at the scene Lead Works Lane closed @ShitChester pic.twitter.com/09fMlsrwom

— Joe Smoe (@the_joe_smoe) December 22, 2015

Fire crews at the Leadworks. Can smell smoke @ShitChester pic.twitter.com/d1uN6kYQHK

— Rose Emma Brooke (@rosebiscuit) December 22, 2015

@the_joe_smoe @ShitChester pic.twitter.com/GSFma0388W

— Andy Williams (@CynicalGinge) December 22, 2015

Bit of a fire issue in Chester #chestertweets pic.twitter.com/kl19OftSOA

— Mark Downes (@Downz_e) December 22, 2015

More shortly.