A fierce blaze at a house which led to the evacuation of 10 neighbouring properties in the early hours is now being treated as arson, police have confirmed.
Detectives in Rochdale are said to be 'conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances' and identify and catch those involved.
As the M.E.N reported, 10 properties were evacuated after emergency services raced to the scene in the Wellfield area of the town and began tackling the blaze. Neighbours affected, meanwhile, have told the Manchester Evening News of their horror after waking to find smoke in their own homes and flames 'gushing' out into the street behind them.
The blaze broke out at a mid-terraced property on Oldham Road shortly before 4am on Friday (November 17).
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The M.E.N understands no-one was believed to have been in the house at the time. Police and forensic crime scene investigation teams remained at the scene along with fire investigation specialists from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Friday morning.
In an updated statement on Friday, GMP confirmed the force was now appealing for anyone with information to come forward. The fire is being treated as arson.
A spokesperson for Rochdale CID said: "Understandably, this incident has created concern in the local community, and we would like to reassure the public that a team of detectives are conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and identify those responsible.
"Anyone with information should contact ourselves or Crimestoppers. Anyone with information should contact GMP via 0161 856 8519 quoting log 324 17/11/23 Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
There were no reported injuries.
In a statement, a GMFRS spokesperson said: "At 03.52 this morning four fire engines from Rochdale, Heywood, and Chadderton fire stations and the fire service drone attended a fire involving a mid-terraced house on Oldham Road, Rochdale. The fire spread to the roof void and required the evacuation of ten adjacent properties in the early hours.
"Firefighters extinguished the fire and have now left the scene, but a cordon remains in place as the multi-agency investigation into the cause of the fire begins."
