Ashton under Lyne fire: Huge fireball and black smoke at flats as residents evacuated

A huge fire broke out in Ashton-under-Lyne, where a large fireball and black smoke was seen coming from a residential building.

Eyewitness Steph O'Neill told the Mirror that at least two men believed to be in the flat said they were sleeping at the time, but the fire woke them up and they "ran straight out" with "little clothes on."

She said: "The men who were in the flat out safe [are] both shook up but OK... they said they [were] sleeping and the fire had just woke them up so they ran straight out.

"I was just walking home and smelt smoke as I walked around the corner it was just full of black smoke burning [with] flames coming out."

Eyewitness Steph said two men believed to have been in the flat at the time are "shaken up but ok" (MEN Media)

The fire, which affected Portland House on Katherine Street, has now been put out as firefighters used safety jets to extinguish it.

Three people were assessed by North West Ambulance Service, but nobody was taken to hospital.

The exterior of the building has been left visibly scorched near windows to neighbouring flats, but the fire service confirmed "some residents have been allowed back into their flats."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Just before 11.30am this morning (Tuesday 31^st January), five fire engines from Ashton, Hyde, Mossley, Gorton and Hollins fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving flats on Katherine Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne."

Five engines were called to the scene (MEN Media)

"The crews arrived quickly at scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatuses used two safety jets to extinguish the fire."

"Firefighters have been in attendance for around two hours and are still at the scene

Unconfirmed reports say that everyone was evacuated from the building safely. On Facebook, residents on higher floors say they were told to remain in their flat.

The main road next to the building was been closed off while emergency services attended to the blaze, but has now been reopened. Five engines from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to tackle the fire.

An eyewitness called the fire brigade's reponse "amazing" (MEN Media)

Steph said the fire service were "amazing" and that the situation was "awful."

She added: " The poor men had little clothes on as they just had to run... it was awful, the looked freezing. Fire service was amazing... out within minutes of the call. Couldn't fault them at all."

Another eyewitness said on Facebook at the time: "Fire in 4th floor flat facing shops on Katherine Street fire engines everywhere."

Another added: "Just gone past here and was wondering what was happening hope people are safe."

It is not yet known what caused the blaze.