A woman has tragically died after a house fire said to have 'spread' along a number of homes on a terraced street.
Greater Manchester Police said she was 42 and that she passed away at the scene 'despite the best efforts of first responders'. There's been no confirmation as yet of any other casualties.
Emergency services were called to Saint Thomas Street North in the Werneth area of Oldham at around 4.10pm on Saturday afternoon. The incident led to the evacuation of a number of homes, with Oldham Council tonight said to be providing temporary accommodation to residents affected.
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A man who was one of the first on the scene said a neighbour 'bust' the back door down, but both were hit and driven back by the heat and smoke.
He said: "It had spread along the houses, we were just trying to get people out. The firefighters were telling everyone to move back as people were just filming."
Another neighbour said he called the emergency services when he heard someone down the road from the house shout for help. He said: "The door was open and we saw smoke all over."
In a statement tonight, GMP said: "Despite the best efforts of first responders, a 42-year-old woman sadly died at the scene. Her next of kin has been informed.
"Road closures remain in place and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire."
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager, Jean-Pierre Helliwell, said: "The thoughts and deepest condolences of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are with the family, friends and loved ones. We're incredibly saddened by the news.
"Our crews remain at the scene at this time. I'd also like to thank Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and our other partner agencies for their continued help."
Fire crews are currently 'dampening down' and searches of four properties have been completed. The street remains closed.
Another neighbour added: "I came home from work and it was all blocked off. There was loads of smoke. There were around 10 police cars down the surrounding roads and lots of fire engines."
And a woman who lives nearby added: "We are a really close knit community round here and we know the family. They’re really nice."
Chief Inspector Robert MacGregor said: "On behalf of GMP, I send condolences to the loved ones of the woman who has sadly died. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire and they will be kept updated.
"A number of residents remain displaced from their homes but have been provided with alternative accommodation by Oldham Council. We are working with partner agencies to get them back into their homes as safely and soon as possible."
The street is near to St Thomas Church. The fire service also sent a drone up to assess the damage caused. Pictures from the scene showed firefighters tackling the blaze with water jets on an extendable ladder.
In an earlier statement, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At shortly after 4pm on Saturday, six fire appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to attend a house fire on Saint Thomas Street North, Oldham.
"Crews arrived quickly and used jets, hose reels, breathing apparatus and a turntable ladder to extinguish the fire. The air unit was also in attendance. Firefighters worked alongside Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service at the scene."
No further details have been revealed.
