Man left in ‘critical’ condition after fire rips through house
A MAN is in a critical condition in hospital following a fire at a house in Rochdale.
Emergency services were called to Kirklee Road in Castleton, just before 8am on Monday.
Police say a second man, who is in his 20s, managed to escape the flames by jumping from an upstairs window.
He too was taken to hospital, however his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Photos from the scene show heavy fire damage to the front door and upstairs window of the end terrace property.
The air ambulance was also sent and is understood to have landed at nearby Castleton Primary School.
GMP confirmed that a joint investigation had been launched alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
The spokesman added that earlier reports of a man being seen close to the scene with a knife are being treated as linked, however enquiries are ongoing and no knife has been recovered.
GMP said in a statement: “Police were called by the fire service shortly before 8am this morning, October 29, to a report of a man on fire at a property on Kirklee Road, Rochdale. A man in his 50s was taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
“A second man, aged in his 20s, escaped the property from an upstairs window.
“He was taken to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.
“The property suffered significant fire damage.
“Police have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.”
They added that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
A fire service spokesman added: “We were called at 7.50am to reports of a house fire in Kirklee Road, Rochdale. Four fire engines from Rochdale, Heywood, Chadderton and Oldham were called to the incident.
“They used six breathing apparatus and three hose reels to extinguish the fire.
“Four casualties self-rescued, two of whom were taken to hospital by NWAS. Crews are currently damping down the fire, and the incident is ongoing.”