Wigan town centre road sealed off as firefighters battle flats blaze

Five teenagers were initially arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, but investigators have since concluded that the cause of the fire was accidental.

Police and fire were called to the flats next to the abandoned St Joseph's church on Caroline Street, Wigan, after a passing ambulance spotted flames and smoke at 6am on Thursday June 29.

Four crews, from Wigan, Hindley and Atherton, attended the scene and one person who had been inside was safely out before they arrived.

The flats are in the process of being refurbished and were not yet ready for occupation. It is believed, however, that rough sleepers have been using them.

And police say that five teenagers were inside the premises although they came to no harm.

Wigan watch manager Mike Fairhurst said that the main damage was caused to the second-storey flooring and first floor ceiling.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “ At approximately 6.10am this morning, Thursday June 29, police responded to calls of five people reported in a derelict building that had caught fire.

“Colleagues from GMFRS also attended. The five people, believed to be children, were removed from the building and returned home.

“There were no injuries reported and the fire was extinguished, with GMFRS securing the building.

"There was no suggestion that the children had set the fire, who were using the building as a shelter.

For safety reasons police closed off Caroline Street and surrounding side streets and diverted traffic onto Poolstock and the A49 link road, causing some congestion.

But the incident was all but over by 7.30am and the road was re-opened.