LIVE: Crane topples over in Wigan and 'slices through house'

A crane has toppled over into a house on a residential street.

Flapper Fold Lane in Atherton, Wigan, has been closed in both directions while emergency services respond to the incident.

The fire service responded to reports of a crane falling through the side of a property at around 10.30am on Saturday morning. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) said a lorry carrying the crane had overturned in the road.

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Images of the overturned crane posted on social media show extensive damage to the roof and walls of the property, with one witness saying the machine had "sliced through" the house.

Flapper Fold Lane has been closed off from Gloucester Street to Brierfield Avenue.

A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “At around 10:30am today (Saturday 6th April), firefighters were called to reports of a crane that had fallen through the side of a residential property in Atherton, Wigan.

"One fire engine from Atherton fire station quickly arrived at the scene, where a lorry carrying the crane had overturned in the roadway. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) established a cordon on the street, while firefighters worked to isolate the gas and electricity to the property and clear spilled fuel from the roadway.

"The scene has now been left with GMP and the crane operating company to arrange recovery of the crane. The occupants are being supported by the local authority to find temporary accommodation."

Manchester Evening News has contacted Greater Manchester Police.

You can follow live updates on this breaking incident below.

One officer has told our reported they are unsure how long Flapper Fold Lane will remain closed while