Firefighters tackled a large and spreading fire at a row of terraced shops in Walkden town centre.
It’s understood the fire started in the roof space of PC Concepts, near Barclays Bank on Bolton Road and spread to four neighbouring buildings.
Around 30 firefighters were called to the scene at 10.05pm on Tuesday 1 September.
Greater Manchester Police closed Bolton Road near the junction with High Street and drivers were being turned around.
By Aimstar Gyal
There are not thought to be any injuries.
A delicatessen in the row of shops has flats on the second floor but luckily it’s believed there was anyone in the properties at the time.
Firefighters douse the flames in Walkden fire – By Adam Davies
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire said the service had received a lot of calls about the blaze and its crews were still assessing what had caused the fire.
Multiple fire crews at the scene of the Walkden fire – By Al Williams
One eyewitness in Walkden town centre said she was visiting the bingo hall on Bolton Road could smell burning from around 7pm tonight.
UPDATE – 11.07pm
Crews appear to have the blaze under control.
The fire broke out on the ground floor of the row of terraced shops, crews indicated.
Fire crews use water jets to douse the flames in Walkden fire – By Al Williams
The blaze spread to two floors above and across to at least four other neighbouring shops.
As of 11.15pm firefighters have been dousing the flames with three water jets and have confined the spread of the blaze to the second floor and roof of one building.
Greater Manchester Fire asked local residents to keep their doors and windows closed because of the amount of black, heavy smoke from the fire.
The road was still closed the following morning, Wednesday 2 September.
Crews remained at the scene until the early hours of the morning to make sure the shops were totally extinguished.
By 3.20am on Wednesday morning the operation was winding down, according to local residents.
An investigation has now been launched into the extent, nature, and cause of the fire.
Pictures by Gary McDonnell/Al Williams/Louarna Hinson/Luke Tournai
Video by Gary McDonnell
