Major road closed as man rescued from flat fire

A man has been rescued by firefighters after a blaze broke out in a first floor flat. Warrington Road, in the Ince area of Wigan, has been closed in both directions while crews deal with the fire on Field Street.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) was called out to the scene at 10.50am this morning (September 24). By 11.30am, Warrington Road had been closed off between Taylors Lane and Hope Street.

Crews from Wigan and Hindley were able to tackle the flames and brought the man down from the flat using a ladder. A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “At approximately 10.50am on Saturday, September 24, firefighters were called to reports of a building fire on Field Street, in Ince, Wigan.

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"Two fire engines from Wigan station and one from Hindley station quickly attended the scene. The fire involves the first floor of a flat.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire and rescued one man from the building using a short extension ladder. Fire crews remain in attendance at this time.”

The road remained closed in both directions this afternoon and drivers had been urged to avoid the area. A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson wrote on Twitter: "Warrington Road (Ince-in-Makerfield) is closed between Taylors Lane and Hope Street.

"This is due to a police incident. Please seek an alternative route. Local bus services @StagecoachGM are on diversion."

Stagecoach confirmed buses along the number 9 route in Wigan were being diverted in both directions via Manley Street, Ince Green Lane, Manchester Road, Liverpool Road and Warrington Road, to avoid the fire. The road reopened at 1pm.

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