Drama as fire rips through three houses

AROUND 20 residents were evacuated when a blaze ripped through three terrace houses in Watersheddings last night.

The fire started in a house in Herbert Street shortly after 10.10pm, gutting the roof and first floor.

It spread rapidly to the roof space of the adjacent properties, one of which was unoccupied and has recently been sold.

No-one was trapped or injured. Neighbours were evacuated before being allowed to return at 1am. The cause is being investigated.

Fire crews were faced with frozen hydrants and were forced to use a main one on Ripponden Road. Watch manager Jim Mulligan, from Oldham Fire Station, said: “The crews were hampered by the conditions — underfoot was absolutely treacherous.”