Residents at a Tameside tower block have described how they fled to safety after a huge blaze broke out. One man living at Portland House in Ashton-under-Lyne says he heard a 'little explosion' around half an hour before neighbours began desperately urging him to 'get out.'
Flames and smoke began billowing from the building off Katherine Street near the town centre after the fire started at around 11:30am this morning (Tuesday).
The blaze quickly engulfed the flat in which it started. Firefighters raced to the scene and quickly extinguished it, preventing it from spreading to any neighbouring flats.
READ MORE: Murder investigation launched as teen, 19, dies after suspected stabbing
Huge black scorch marks could however been around the windows and blacony of the affected flat, which appears to have been gutted.
Some of those living in the block who were evacuated after the fire started have now spoken of their horror.
Nathan Worthington, 32, who lives directly underneath the flat on the second floor where the blaze broke out, said he was asleep having worked the night before when he heard a 'little explosion.'
"I didn't think anything of it so I went back to sleep," he said. "And then half an hour later or something I heard a load of commotion outside, so I opened the windows, I was going to tell them to shut up I thought it was someone arguing at first, then there was a load of people on the front saying 'get out, get out.' Telling me to get out of the building.
"I just threw some clothes on and just ran out the door. There was smoke coming through at first but I just put my shirt over my mouth. I'm just glad I'm okay and didn't breathe any of it in.
"It was a bit of a shock at first but as I say I just made my way out quickly and then I was okay after that."
He says his flat has suffered water damage due to some of the water used to put out the flames seeping down into his property.
"It's not as bad as I thought," he said. "My carpet is all damaged and some stuff in my kitchen but most of my electrics are okay."
Carl Duke, 30, who lives on the fourth floor, said: "I've heard somebody say the word fire, and soon as I heard it I could smell it, the smoke. From my balcony, on the other side I could the flames and black smoke coming round.
"So I panicked, just grabbed my coat and ran out. It was a bit of a shock to wake up to."
Carl said there was no 'immediate damage' to his flat but that when he returned it smelt heavily of smoke and has had to leave all the windows open to ventilate it.
A man living in a flat in a neighbouring block to Portland House said he was out and returned home to see the fire service huge response shortly after 11:30am this morning. “There were still flames in there but they were just starting to get control and damp it down” he said.
“I’m not surprised because there’s been fires in there previously” he added “They are normally chip pan fires and things like that. But this looks like a bad one. It’s by far the worst that I’ve seen."
Housing association Ashton Pioneer Homes which owns Portland House said it had recently had a Type 4 fire risk assessment and a risk assessment to its external walls.
The flat where the fire started has had new fire doors fitted and has had a recent gas boiler service within the last six months and up-to-date electrical safety tests, they added.
The M.E.N understands the occupants of three flats, the flat where the blaze began and those directly above and below are the only ones who haven't now been able to return to their properties.
Hotel rooms have been arranged for two flats with one arranging their own temporary accommodation.
In a statement, Ashton Pioneer Homes said: "Today, the 31st January 2023 at 11.45am, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was called to a fire on the second floor of Portland House, Ashton Under Lyne. The block of flats is owned by Ashton Pioneer Homes.
"Thankfully, no residents were hurt in the incident and thanks to the fire safety measures in the block, the fire did not spread beyond the flat where the fire started. At this stage it is too early to ascertain the cause of the fire and the Fire Service are still investigating.
"Staff at Ashton Pioneer Homes are supporting residents and arranging temporary accommodation for those residents who have been affected by water damage.
"As soon as the fire was reported, staff from APH were in attendance, supporting the Fire Service and residents and are continuing to do so."
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said three people were checked over by paramedics but that none were taken to hospital. The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed.
A spokesperson said: “Just before 11.30am this morning (Tuesday 31st January), five fire engines from Ashton, Hyde, Mossley, Gorton and Hollins fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving flats on Katherine Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne.
“The crews arrived quickly at scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatuses used two safety jets to extinguish the fire.”
Sign up to our Tameside newsletter to get the latest updates to your inbox
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- 'I thought my daughter just had an insect bite - then just months after her 21st birthday she was dead'
- New images show stunning plans to redevelop 'eyesore' Deansgate hotel
- 'My little boy literally saved my life'
- Police delayed seeing tragic TV journalist for nine days after she reported domestic abuse... two weeks later she was found dead
- "See...what happens when you take the pi**"...texts of alleged 'mastermind' of fatal attack on Thomas Campbell
