The ten puppies that died during a flat fire in Leigh were ‘only a few days’ old according to a local. On Sunday (May 22) a blaze broke out a property on Chapel Street in Leigh which saw two dogs and 10 puppies sadly lose their life.
According to a member of the community who knew the owners of the flat, the puppies were newborns and the two adult dogs were their parents. Speaking to the MEN the resident said: “I know people who lived there, they’re friends of friends really. The pups were only a few days old. The two adult dogs had just given birth to them.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 9am where a cannabis farm was found in the flat. Eye witnesses who were there that morning said they were ‘sad’ to hear of the news that so many of the pets had lost their lives.
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One resident said: “I’m surprised there was that many dogs in one place, it’s really sad.” Another eye witness told the MEN that they say clouds of smoke coming from the flat when firefighters arrived.
They said: “I saw about 15 firefighters rush down the road to the flat. The fire wasn’t that big and we couldn’t see anything until they cracked open a window and doors and we saw smoke coming from the house.”
Two people from neighbouring properties were treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Chapel Street was closed off for several hours on Sunday as emergency services responded to the blaze. The road was shut off between Warrington Road and Astley Street.
A fire scene investigation van was pictured at the scene, as well as several other fire response vehicles. In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: "Officers were called just after 9am on Sunday 22 May to reports of fire involving a property on Chapel Street, Leigh. Two people from neighbouring properties were treated at the scene by NWAS for smoke inhalation.
"Sadly, 12 dogs, including 10 puppies, died as a result of the fire and efforts are ongoing to find the owner. A small cannabis farm was found in the flat - enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made."
In a statement issued yesterday, a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Just after 9am this morning (Sunday 22 May) firefighters were called to reports of fire involving a property on Chapel Street, Leigh. Fire crews from Atherton, Agecroft, Eccles, Farnworth, Hindley, and Rochdale arrived quickly at the scene.
"Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus, and using three hose reels and other specialist equipment, worked hard to extinguish the fire and escorted two casualties from a neighbouring property to safety. GMFRS were in attendance for just over four hours.”
