Sixty evacuated in roof-blaze drama

SCENE of the fire drama... Fire crews were still in attendance at Park Street this morning. after last night’s blaze.

A LARGE fire which swept through four terrace homes in Coppice saw 60 residents evacuated just after midnight today.

At its height, 20 firefighters from Oldham, Hollins, Chadderton and Hyde used breathing apparatus, an aerial appliance and specialist equipment to tackle the large blaze in Park Street.

Neighbours called the fire service at 12.11am after flames engulfed an unoccupied property and spread through the roof space to three others.

Fire crews originally believed people to be trapped but no one was found, although officers had to wait until daylight to search one of the properties.

Crews were also faced with a suspected gas leak in the property from a gas canister inside one of the homes but further investigations found there was no leak.

The whole street was evacuated for an hour while the fire raged but residents were allowed back once the blaze was under control.

Five people living in the two houses adjacent to the seat of the fire were not allowed back home and had to find alternative overnight accommodation.

Crews were still at the scene this morning and will investigate the cause of the blaze today.

Resident Mohammad Alom was alerted to the blaze by children knocking on his door and had to lead his wife and 18-year-old sister to safety.

He said: “I only finished work at 11pm and was watching TV when the children knocked on.

“When I looked out, there was loads of smoke.

“Everyone came out of their homes and we were sent to the end of the street where it was safe when the officers said there was a gas leak.

“Some people went to their relatives, but others stayed and waited to be allowed back at about 4am.”

Amber Watch Comman-der Mark Beswick, from Oldham Fire Station, said: “When we arrived there was flames coming out of the roof and the back of one of the homes and was spreading either side.

“The fire could have been more serious but there were no casualties.

“Some of the properties did not have a working fire alarm so anyone interested in getting a free home fire risk assessment should call 0800 555 815.”

n The fire follows a simi-lar incident in Lyndale Avenue, Reddish, Stock-port, on Saturday when 60 people were evacuated after a blaze started in a terraced home and spread to nine other properties.