House fire - Milnrow

Crews from five Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) fire stations have been battling a house fire on Dale Street in Milnrow which began just after 7.45pm this evening (30 October).

Firefighters were called to reports of a blaze affecting the first floor of a three storey end-terrace house and fire engines from Chadderton, Heywood, Littleborough, Oldham and two from Rochdale were quickly on the scene.

Acting swiftly eight firefighters entered the property wearing breathing apparatus and using hoses to fight the flames, while more firefighting took place from street level using a 9m ladder.

Station Manager Dominic Cunningham, who is in charge of the scene, added: “The fire was discovered by the homeowner when she returned from work, opened her bedroom door and found the room full of smoke. She quickly exited the building and called GMFRS, and we were soon on the scene.

“I want to praise the swift actions of firefighters who have extinguished the blaze and limited the damage to two bedrooms, a bathroom and a corridor on the first floor, with slight smoke damage up on the second. Without crews’ swift and decisive action the situation would have developed quickly and become much worse.

“Nobody has been harmed in this incident but sadly I do have to report that two pets – a dog and a parrot – have both passed away. It’s very sad – firefighters are professionals but this sort of thing is obviously upsetting. Our thoughts are with the pets’ owner.”

A fire investigation is currently taking place to establish the cause – it may now conclude in the morning. GMFRS would also like to thank the support of emergency service colleagues at the scene representing both Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service, as well as representatives from the local authority.

30/10/2019 21:55 PM