People living in a south Manchester suburb have spoken of their shock after waking up to find a building engulfed in flames.
A fire broke out at the property in Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, at about 10am today (Sunday). Pictures showed plumes of smoke billowing from the three-storey building at the junction with Napier Road.
The roof of the property appeared to have been badly damaged in the fire. A stretch of the busy main road was taped off between Wilbraham Road and High Lane for several hours while firefighters tackled the blaze.
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At least seven fire engines were at the scene, as well as police officers and paramedics. No one is believed to have been injured in the fire.
Despite the road closure, many of the bars and restaurants that line Barlow Moor Road remained open on Mother's Day. Peter Heffernan, who owns Duffy’s Bar, said he saw smoke coming from the roof of the building at about 10am.
“I noticed people looking up at it," he explained. "There was a lot of smoke coming out of the roof. It must have been building for a while.”
Pauline Kelly, who lives in nearby Napier Road, also saw flames coming from the roof of the building.
"There was a lot of thick smoke blowing across the main road," she said.
“You don’t expect to wake up to something like that on Mother’s Day. This is normally a quiet road.”
The road eventually reopened at about 1.45pm.
In a statement, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 10am this morning (Sunday 19 March) Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a fire at a property on Barlow Moor Road. Officers attended to support colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
"A scene remains in place to establish the circumstances with parts of Barlow Moor Road, High Lane, and Wilbraham Road remaining closed at this time."
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "At 10am on Sunday 19 March, firefighters were called out to a fire at a commercial property on Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton.
"Five fire engines from Stretford, Sale, Salford, Moss Side and Withington – as well as a turn table ladder from Manchester - quickly attended the scene where there was a fire on the first floor, second floor and roof space of a detached commercial building.
"Firefighters are using two hose reels and six breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire and remain at the scene."
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