Man treated after Lees house fire

Date published: 16 May 2018


Local firefighters will work to reassure the community in Lees near Oldham after a house fire last night (Tuesday).

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called at 6.27pm to reports of a fire in a mid-terrace property on Brookway.

On arrival crews discovered the house well alight with flames on the ground and first floors and appearing through the roof.

Three engines from Oldham and Chadderton and a hydraulic platform from Manchester Central quickly tackled the blaze, believed to have originated in the kitchen.

Firefighters used two hoses, four breathing apparatus and a ventilation fan, along with a thermal imaging camera.

Neighbouring properties were also assessed for heat and possible fire spread while paramedics treated one man, who had exited the house prior to GMFRS’ arrival, for the effects of smoke inhalation.

At around 10pm crews discovered cracks in the bedroom wall of the house along with further cracks in the fascia of a neighbouring home.

Crews withdrew until a building inspector was able to confirm the structural integrity of the properties at midnight, before re-entering and completing damping down.

Paul Marston, Watch Manager at Blackley Community Fire Station, said: “Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene of a mid-terrace house fire for a number of hours overnight, tackling a blaze and monitoring the temperature and structural stability of adjoining properties.

“It is important to establish if buildings are safe before crews can enter to fight fires or damp down a scene.

"Once we had assurance that we could re-enter the house around midnight we did so and remained there overnight taking temperature readings of neighbouring houses, as well as conducting Safe and Well visits and reassuring neighbours.

“We will be in the area over the next few days providing reassurance to the community.”

GMFRS remained at the scene until 6.35am, monitoring the buildings for evidence of increasing temperatures. Before leaving, crews fitted fire alarms in the two homes either side of the affected house and will be back in the neighbourhood in the coming days to conduct Safe and Well visits with members of the community.

For further information on how to protect yourself and your family from a fire in your home, visit manchesterfire.gov.uk.

For further information on Safe and Well visits, call 0800 555 815.