Fire behind Spread Eagle

Fire crews at the Spread Eagle

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Three fire engines surrounded the Spread Eagle pub tonight (21 June) after a fire destroyed a hut at the back of the building.

Smoke spilled into the Cheetham Street pub at 5.40pm as crews tackled the blaze which had taken hold of the hut, which also caused a very small amount of damage to the pub building.

Witnesses report seeing a man was on the scene claiming responsibility for the fire and saying he had to burn “needles”, but the authorities have not yet confirmed whether or not it is being treated as suspicious.

A witness who works nearby said: “I could smell smoke so went around to see what was happening. There was a guy there pouring some sort of orange stuff all over the place. I asked him what he was doing and he said he needed to get rid of needles.

“As far as I know squatters use that little bit round the back so chances are he was telling the truth.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to the scene at 5.30pm to a fire at an outbuilding at the back of the pub.

“Crews were sent from Rochdale, Ramsbottom and Littleborough, but by the time they arrived it was clear that the fire had not spread to the pub and was fairly small.”

He added: “One hose reel was used and the fire has been extinguished.”