At least 40 fire crews are tackling a large fire at student accommodation in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
The six-storey building known as The Cube on Bradshawgate has been evacuated and one witness said flames were “crawling up the cladding like it was nothing”.
Emergency services have not confirmed any casualties from the blaze, which broke out on Friday night.
Another witness, Ace Love, 35, said: “The fire kept getting more intense, climbing up and to the right because the wind was blowing so hard.
” We could see it bubbling from the outside and then being engulfed from the outside.
“A lot of students got out very fast. Someone was very distressed, the rest were on phones calling for help.
“The fire got worse and worse to the point where you could see through the beams. It was just bare frame.”
University of Bolton student Shannon Parker, 22, who lives in the building, said: “I was in my room whilst it was happening.
” I heard the fire alarm going off but it kept on going off so I just thought it was a drill at first until one of my flatmates shouted down the corridor that it was a real fire.
“So I ran out the flat as quickly as I could and I saw that it was one of the flats below mine and we went out by the fire exit. “
A statement posted on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service website said:” At 20. 29 on November 15, 2019, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at a six-storey building on Bradshawgate, Bolton.
“Local residents are being asked to keep their windows and doors shut and avoid the area where possible. “
Greater Manchester Police Bolton North said a number of road closures are in place.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, tweeted to say officials are ready to offer assistance if required.
More to follow …
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