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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Damon Wilkinson

Huge plumes of black smoke seen with main road shut after van fire

A main road through Wigan was closed after a van caught fire. Firefighters were called Bolton Road in Atherton close to at 7.30am on Friday.

Pictures from the scene show huge plumes of black smoke billowing over the road and nearby houses. The road was closed for around 30 minutes while crews extinguished the fire.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Just before 7.30am this morning (Friday), one fire engine from Hindley fire station was called to reports of a vehicle fire on Bolton Road, Atherton.

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"The crew arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire. Firefighters were in attendance for around 30 minutes."

Transport for Greater Manchester had earlier tweeted: "ROAD CLOSED: A579 Bolton Road, Atherton, at the jct of Bolton Old Road, due to a vehicle fire. Emergency services are on scene, please use an alternative route.

"@Diamond BusNW services are diverting, please check before travel."

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