Deliberate house fire in Deeplish

Five people were led to safety from a deliberate house fire in Deeplish this morning (Wednesday 18 August 2010)

The fire service was called to the domestic property on Ashfield Road at 5.44am.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Two Fire Crews from Rochdale and Heywood Fire Stations were attended the fire, on arrival to the property they found a fire involving a settee at the rear of the property near to an extension.

"Five people from the property were lead to safety by fire service personnel - there were no reported injuries.

"The cause of the fire was deliberate by persons unknown."

Firefighters used a door ram and short extension ladder to gain entry to the property and a hose reel whilst wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the fire.