Warning as electric heater causes house fire in Oldham

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) attended to a blaze on Brookdale Street, in Failsworth, at around 8pm yesterday (February 28).

A crew from Hollins Fire Station was dispatched and upon arrival discovered that the flames had been distinguished by the "lucky" resident.

A spokesperson for GMFRS said: "An electric heater was put too close to a pile of clothes and the homeowner went out and it caught fire.

"Fortunately they came back from where they were, they put it out before we got there so when we arrived we ventilated it and fitted another smoke alarm.

"They were lucky that it hadn't done much damage, it just burnt holes in the clothes, melted the electric heater and there were a few holes in the carpet."

Brookdale Street, Failsworth (Image: Google Street View)

They continued: "A few more minutes and it would've been completely different, they were very lucky.

"People should use portable heaters with care, don't position them too close to things, and don't leave things unattended if you go out."

Firefighters made sure the fire was out at the home before fitting more and leaving.

As well as the house fire, the Hollins crew were kept busy through four repeat calls to Bell Mill, on Claremont Street, due to "issues with the fire alarm system".

While it is not unheard of to be called to the same location more than once due to a faulty system, to be called out to the old cotton mill four times "was a bit unusual".

Residents have been urged to installs smoke alarms, which can be bought from the fire service.

They added: "Make sure you have working smoke alarms." 

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