Appeal following house fire

Police are appealing for witnesses after a house fire in Rochdale.

As reported by Rochdale Online, at 12.20am on Monday (12 December 2011), emergency services were called to a fire at a house on Prince Street.

A 31-year-old man and his 30-year-old wife had been inside when the fire started at the front of the house.

By the time emergency services arrived, the man had smashed a window at the back of the house and he and his wife has escaped. He was treated at the scene for cuts he suffered when he smashed the window to escape.

A joint investigation between police and fire is underway to establish the cause of the fire.

Detective Constable Janice Crutwell from Rochdale CID said: “The investigation is still in its early stages and we are yet to determine how the blaze started.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen something suspicious on the morning of the fire or may have witnesses anyone acting suspicious in the area during the build up to the fire or in the days prior to this incident to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 4644 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/64372/couple-escape-house-fire