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Firefighters say they have contained a blaze that broke out at a recycling plant in Manchester overnight.
Eight fire crews were sent to fight the blaze at Wardley industrial estate, near Swinton, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said.
It is believed that the fire involved a large number of recycled computer parts in an industrial-sized container.
A downed power line also caused problems at the scene and was being made safe by the National Grid, the fire service added.
Photos showed a large plume of smoke against the sky, with North West motorway police tweeting that black smoke was billowing across the M60 between junctions 13 and 14 and the M61.
The cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation will take place.
Firefighters managed to bring the flames 'well under control' just after 2am on Sunday, with people in the surrounding area advised to keep their windows and doors shut to prevent smoke from seeping into their homes.
Darren Moore, force duty officer for Greater Manchester Police said: 'At 11.23pm police attended a large fire at a recycling plant to assist the fire brigade.
'The fire is believed to be contained although it will continue to be fought overnight.
'A number of people have been evacuated from their homes.'
At its peak, there were eight fire engines at the scene to battle the flames, but the number was down-scaled as the blaze was brought under control.
During the fire, Group Manager Paul Starling, who was at the incident said: 'The large smoke plume the recycled material produces is causing some local residents concern, but we would like to reassure you that we are dealing with the incident well.
'You can avoid any smoke by simply closing windows and doors and avoiding the area until further notice.'
Eleven people were transferred from their homes into emergency accommodation, Moore said, with others leaving to stay with family and friends.
There were no reports of anyone being injured, he added.
Witness Jim Burke, from Swinton, told the Manchester Evening News of his horror watching the blaze.
'My wife and I called the fire service after returning home,' he said.
'We looked and saw the flames and thought we'd better nip around,' he added. 'We were horrified to see how extensive it was.'