‘Residents evacuated’ after huge fire engulfs flats

Flames are billowing out of a block of flats and it is believed that residents have been evacuated while fire crews work to put out the blaze in Ashton-under-Lyne.

The building on Katherine Street, in Tameside, currently has plumes of smoke billowing from windows and flames can be seen in an incident that started this afternoon.

The road has been closed off while emergency services attend to the burning building and safety of residents.

According to the Manchester Evening News, six fire engines were reportedly on the scene, but now four, and Katherine Street is currently shut between William Street and Richmond Street. The incident has also affected bus route services for commuters.

Update: The fire has now been put out and firefighters are dealing with the aftermath of the blaze which has left the residential flats scorched.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Six fire engines from across Greater Manchester attended the scene where a fire had started in a flat on the second floor of a 13-storey building. Crews used six breathing apparatus and two water jets to extinguish the fire and were in attendance for approximately two hours.

“One male, suffering with minor smoke inhalation, was treated at the scene by North West Ambulance Service. Investigations into the fire are ongoing.”