A derelict building in Chorlton has been boarded up after a fire sparked a major emergency response, with witnesses reporting seeing “young teenagers” on the roof shortly before smoke began coming from a window.
Nicolas Road, in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, was cordoned off on Friday morning as firefighters and police descended on the scene. The fire was later extinguished and the road reopened shortly before 1.30pm, bringing the disruption to an end.
Witnesses report teenagers on roof
The incident prompted concern among residents, with emergency crews seen outside the disused property as they worked to deal with the fire. The building is now being secured, with boards covering parts of the property following the response.
A witness told the Manchester Evening News they called police at around 10am after spotting “young teenagers” on the roof of the building. They later noticed smoke coming from a window, prompting concern about what was happening inside.
Emergency response at the scene
People living in the area reported seeing firefighters attempting to gain access to the building as the emergency response unfolded. Andrew Brougham-Holland, who witnessed the incident, told the MEN: “It looked like there was two fire engines there. One of the firemen seemed to be trying to open a window.”
A patient at the Family Practice opposite the scene also described seeing the emergency response at close quarters, saying it appeared firefighters and other emergency workers were trying to get inside the building.
Building secured after fire
Witnesses also reported seeing people trespassing at the property before the fire, with suggestions they may have entered through the roof. It has not been established whether those reported to have been on the roof were connected to the fire.
The cordon remained in place as emergency services dealt with the incident, with Nicolas Road temporarily restricted to traffic and pedestrians. Members of the public were later allowed to pass through the cordon while crews continued their work.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 10.26am on Friday 16 October, four fire engines from Stretford, Moss Side, Withington and Salford attended a building fire on Nicolas Road, Manchester.
“The fire involved rubbish on a ground floor garage of a two-storey building. Fire crews used four breathing apparatus and one hose reel to manage the incident and were in attendance for approximately three hours.”
Greater Manchester Police has been approached for comment.
