A WARNING has been issued after a cigarette fire in a wheelie bin in Oldham in the early hours of today.

A fire engine was sent to a semi-detached house on Millbank Close at around 12.50am after a blaze broke out in the back garden.

One of the occupants had disposed of a cigarette in a wheelie bin but it was not put out fully.

The cigarette set the bin on fire and the flames spread to back of the property, breaking windows as well as damaging the kitchen roofing, guttering and the garden fence.

The fire was put out by crews and no-one was hurt in the incident.

Hollins Fire Station watch commander Andrew Turner said: "People need to dispose of cigarettes carefully.

"They need to put them in water before putting them in the bin."

The house did have a working smoke alarm but Mr Turner reminded others to make sure their alarms are in operation.