Fire crews tackle house fire

Search dog helping at War Office Road, Rochdale, where crews are searching the building

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Update 10:40

Area Manager Wayne Shields, said: "Something has happened in an end terraced property - a row of four houses - that's caused the gable end of the house to completely collapse, caused severe structural damage to that property and a severe fire on the first floor, which spread into the roof space of the house next door.

"We used an aerial platform and four jets to extinguish the fire and stop it spreading into the other properties.

"There were three casualties - a 74-year-old woman suffering from the effects of smoke who declined hospital treatment, a 38-year-old man suffering a suspected fractured arm and cuts to his head, and a 60-year-old man suffering from the effects of smoke. Both men were taken to hospital.

"We have also received reports of a fourth resident in that end terraced property but neighbours say that person hasn't been living there over the past few weeks.

"Police are trying to contact this person's family to see if they are staying elsewhere and we are searching the property as well.

"Due to the structural damage of the end terraced house it's not safe enough to send firefighters inside, so we have been using the Urban Search and Rescue Team and search and rescue dog Ace to carry out a systematic search.

"It's far too early to say what's happened, but we have been working with National Grid and North West Electricity, who have isolated the services to the row of houses and they are going to assist us with our investigations.

"We also have community safety teams and volunteers at the scene to reassure the community and offer advice."

Update: 10.30am

A search dog is helping at War Office Road, Rochdale, where crews are searching the building. 

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Firefighters are tackling a fire in Rochdale.

Crews were called to War Office Road at around 5.10am (30 July) and found an end terraced property on fire and partially collapsed, with people believed to be still inside. 
A 28-year-old man and a 60-year-old man were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital.

The fire involves the first floor and roof space of the house.

Four fire engines and an aerial appliance are currently at the scene.