Flames pour out of building as shocked residents wake to discover huge blaze
19.03.2023 - 20:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
People living in a south Manchester suburb have spoken of their shock after waking up to find a building engulfed in flames.
A fire broke out at the property in Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, at about 10am today (Sunday). Pictures showed plumes of smoke billowing from the three-storey building at the junction with Napier Road.
The roof of the property appeared to have been badly damaged in the fire. A stretch of the busy main road was taped off between Wilbraham Road and High Lane for several hours while firefighters tackled the blaze.
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At least seven fire engines were at the scene, as well as police officers and paramedics. No one is believed to have been injured in the fire.
Despite the road closure, many of the bars and restaurants that line Barlow Moor Road remained open on Mother's Day. Peter Heffernan, who owns Duffy’s Bar, said he saw smoke coming from the roof of the building at about 10am.
“I noticed people looking up at it," he explained. "There was a lot of smoke coming out of the roof. It must have been building for a while.”
Pauline Kelly, who lives in nearby Napier Road, also saw flames coming from the roof of the building.
"There was a lot of thick smoke blowing across the main road," she said.
“You don’t expect to wake up to something like that on Mother’s Day. This is normally a quiet road.”
The road eventually reopened at about 1.45pm.
In a statement, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 10am this morning (Sunday 19 March) Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a fire at a property on Barlow Moor Road. Officers attended to support colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
"A scene