Fire leaves three people in hospital
THREE people have been taken to hospital following a fire in Littleborough.
Photographs showed smoke coming from a building on Todmorden Road with emergency service vehicles on the scene.
Witnesses say the fire broke out at around 9.30am on Monday morning.
It is understood that Todmorden Road was closed to all traffic while firefighters attended the blaze.
North West Ambulance Service confirmed that three people were taken to hospital.
Fire crews were working at the scene through the day.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 9.30am on Monday 15 February four fire engines from Rochdale, Littleborough and Chadderton fire stations were called to reports of a fire in a home on Todmorden Road in Littleborough.
“Crews arrived quickly at the scene and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reels, a positive pressure ventilation fan and a smoke curtain to extinguish the fire.
“Four people were out of the building before the fire service arrived.
“They were taken to hospital by colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service. Fire crews remain at the scene.”
One resident said the fire ‘caused a lot of chaos and smoke’.
Christine Cartledge, who lives Todmorden Road, said: “My daughter rang me this morning and said ‘mum, you need to move your car quick. By the time I got out there the firefighters wouldn’t let me move my car.
“They had all the hoses out already.
“There was loads smoke everywhere.
“I think some workmen nearby by helped the people inside get out before the fire service arrived. They got a ladder up and helped at least one person out of one of of the windows. I think the others were helped out through one of the side doors.
“It didn’t look like anyone was seriously hurt but one lady was black with soot. It caused quite a lot of chaos in terms of traffic because they closed the road.”
Photographs taken by Sam E Pilling showed fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles on Todmorden Road.