Fire breaks out at derelict building on Railway Road, Horwich

Fire crews were sent to the property on Railway Road with the blaze believed to have started at around 5pm.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning to residents in the area on social media, urging them to keep their windows and doors closed as smoke billowed in the air.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Smoke from the fire billows into the sky (Image: Public)A fire engine near the building fire (Image: Public) 

The fire on Railway Road in Horwich (Image: Newsquest)

Firefighters brought the flames under control and used specialist equipment such as a crane to extinguish the fire.

A crane being used by the fire service (Image: Public)

Crews remained in attendance several hours later.

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One nearby resident said: "It was about 5.30pm when we noticed smoke.

"The fire service came quickly and got it under control.

"They have been up on the roof with a crane dampening it."

Emergency services at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

A fire engine at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

A fire engine at the scene (Image: Newsquest)