The second phase, built in 1824 and used as warehousing, is an important example of early fireproof construction.

[3] The third phase was five storeys tall and built along Bengal Street; this block was damaged by fire and partially rebuilt in 1861.

[5] The adjacent Bengal Street block was destroyed by fire in July 2005.

The fire threatened to destroy the rest of the complex, which housed Sankeys nightclub and offices.

In an effort to extinguish the fire, water was pumped from the nearby Rochdale Canal.