Fire at Freehold flats

Firefighters were called to a fire at Freehold flats at 2.03pm on Tuesday (18 December).

Four fire crews took more than two hours to put out a fire in a second-floor flat.

The fire caused damage to the flat, and started when a hot light bulb in a cupboard set clothing alight, before spreading through the apartment.

Four fire engines attended the blaze, including two from Rochdale, one from Littleborough and one from Chadderton. Another was put on standby on Hyde.

Crews used an aerial appliance and two hose reels. The fire was put out around 4.15pm.

Watch Manager Peter Taylor, from Rochdale Fire Station, said: “When we arrived we were met with a well-developed fire involving the bedroom and front room of a second-floor flat.

“It would seem that the fire may have involved a cupboard and then spread throughout the flat due to the doors being open.

“The occupier of the house had managed to get out of the flat before crews arrived and was uninjured.

“Closing your internal doors cloud stop a fire spreading and a working smoke alarm could save you vital seconds in the event of a fire.