Ten fire engines have raced to a burning chicken farm in Bridgemere, Cheshire, with nearby residents urged to keep their doors and windows closed 'due to the large amount of smoke'19:02, 29 May 2026Updated 19:19, 29 May 2026A huge fire has gutted a chicken farm and left an "enormous smoke trail" hanging over an area of Cheshire.‌Ten fire engines have been deployed to The Grange on Checkley Lane, near Bridgemere, with nearby residents urged to keep their doors and windows closed, "due to the large amount of smoke", fire crews said.‌The blaze broke out this morning at around 6:30am, with firefighters remaining at the scene more than 12 hours on.‌Shocking images shared by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service shows a completely destroyed and blackened chicken shed measuring around four acres in size - the equivalent of more than two football pitches.Drivers on the M6 and residents in surrounding areas told how they had seen a large plume of smoke rising from the scene.‌"I saw this enormous smoke trail as I was coming down the M6 so I followed it and ended up at Betley Village Hall," one driver told the BBC. "I'm just witnessing this huge, huge smoke cloud."A number of specialist appliances, including an aerial ladder platform and high-volume pumps, have been used to tackle the blaze.Cheshire Fire and Rescue said in a statement: "Firefighters are currently in attendance at a large fire in an empty chicken shed of approximately four acres in size, in Checkley Lane, Checkley.‌"Firefighters are using multiple hose reels and main jets to fight the fire externally and prevent further spread of the fire."There is a large smoke plume so nearby residents are asked to keep their doors and windows closed for the time being."In an update issued at 4pm, the fire service said the incident had been reduced to two fire engines and the HRET appliance. "The scene is still being dampened down" it added. "Firefighters are expected to remain on scene for some time."‌Aaron Collis, Area Manager at Cheshire Fire and Rescue, said: "At approximately 06:30am, firefighters were called to a significant fire at an empty chicken shed in Checkley."At the height of the incident, ten fire engines from across Cheshire, with support from Staffordshire and Shropshire, alongside a range of specialist appliances, were in attendance. Due to the significant smoke plume, a major incident was initially declared, although this has since been stood down.Article continues below"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all emergency service personnel involved, good progress has been made throughout the day, and the incident has now been partially scaled back. We are continuing to work with the owners of the site to ensure operations can continue safely."We would like to thank local residents for their patience and cooperation while the smoke has remained visible in the area. Anyone nearby is advised to continue keeping doors and windows closed if affected by smoke."A joint investigation with Cheshire Constabulary into the cause of the fire will be commenced in due course."