NEIGHBOURS had to be evacuated after a ferocious blaze took hold of a house, causing substantial damage.
The fire broke out in a property on Elizabeth Road, Haydock shortly after 4.30pm on Sunday (September 14). Crews from Newton-le-Willows and St Helens found the first floor and roof of the end terrace house were well alight.
The occupiers of the house had fled the building before firefighters and two neighbouring homes were evacuated.
Wearing breathing equipment crews entered the building to keep the fire under control. All three bedrooms on the first floor were burned out and the hallway and ground floor had smoke and water damage.
Firefighters isolated the gas and electricity supply and ventilated all three houses to clear smoke.
Members of the Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS) were called to offer practical and emotional assistance for all those involved in the blaze.
Crews left the scene at around 7.30pm.
An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire.
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