Serious Salford house fire believed to be accidental

A serious house fire in Salford is not being treated as suspicious. The blaze gutted the downstairs of a semi-detached house at the weekend.

A joint investigation by police and the fire service was launched into the incident in Westray Crescent, off Eccles New Road. The Manchester Evening News understands that an "electrical fault" is a line of inquiry into the cause.

The occupant of the house, a woman in her 50s, was not at home when the fire broke out just before midnight on Saturday. Police sent in dogs to check for traces of accelerants in the afermath of the fire, but arson is not suspected.

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The blaze broke at around 11.50pm. Four fire engines were called to the scene, as well as police officers. The fire was put out and the area was 'made safe'. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said no-one was believed to have been injured.

Greater Manchester Police said: "Following an enquiry by GMP and GMFRS, the cause of the fire has been deemed accidental, not arson. For this reason, police will no longer be investigating."

A spokesperson for GMFRS said: "At around 11.50pm on Saturday 16 December 2023, fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a semi-detached home on Westray Crescent, Salford. Four fire engines from Moss Side, Salford and Eccles stations were quickly mobilised to the incident.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reels, a positive pressure ventilation fan, lighting, thermal scanner and gas monitor to extinguish the fire and make the area safe. GMFRS crews remain in attendance.

One resident said: "I heard a crackling noise and looked up and saw