Flats terror after bin set alight

TWO people cheated death after a wheelie bin was set alight at flats in Failsworth, blocking their escape.

Firemen found a man and woman hanging out of first-floor windows at the Cheetham Street flats early on Saturday morning.

Crews had to use ladders to bring the woman down, before firemen, who battled their way into the building, reached the man and led him to safety through another exit.

Police arrested two youths aged 17 and 18 on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The wheelie bin had been pushed up against the building before being set alight.

The entrance porch went up in flames and set plastic windows and doors alight and got into the roof space of the two-storey development which backs on to Oldham Road.

It is believed to be the second time in a year that a similar fire has threatened tenants at the flats which are owned by the Regenda housing association.

The woman, aged 18, went to the Royal Oldham Hospital for checks after breathing in smoke when the fire broke out just after 2am. Although firefighters stopped the fire spreading along the roof to other flats, her home was gutted and three others were damaged.

A neighbour said there were often youths hanging around the flats, and added: “There was a fire there about a year ago when a wheelie bin was used.”