A fire has broken out in Manchester this morning, sending flames and smoke shooting into the air over a large area of the city.

Dramatic footage of the blaze emerged online, with images and videos showing the fire raging behind what appears to be a retail premises in Levenshulme in the city's southeast as horrified bystanders look on.

Further images from much further away show the smoke billowing over the city for miles - as well as a large-scale emergency services presence on the scene.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were in action at a commercial unit on Longden Road in Gorton - and have closed off local roads and told residents to shut their windows and doors.

The massive blaze can be seen erupting at the rear of a commercial unit in Levenshulme

The smoke could be seen from quite a distance as it poured out over Manchester

Even further from the blaze, drivers shared footage of the smoke billowing into the air

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were on the scene on Gorton's Longden Road

A statement from the service said: "Firefighters are in attendance at a fire involving a commercial unit on Longden Road, Gorton, which is producing a large amount of smoke.

"Nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area. Road closures are in place."

On social media, locals remarked on the sheer scale of the fire, with one claiming they could see the smoke over five kilometres away in Didsbury.