FIREFIGHTERS fought to contain 10ft flames after a gas pipe was fractured by workmen.

The gas ignited within seconds of the incident in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge.

Residents raised the alarm and firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes. They were confronted by a wall of flame where the gas pipe had fractured.

Steve Palmer, leading fireman at Bolton North Fire Station, said: "It's a lot safer when the gas is actually burning, so we were quite relieved that it was on fire."

He said it was more dangerous when gas is escaping, as it can mix with the air and form an explosive mixture.

"Anything can set it off, if the gas and the air mixture is right," he said. "It could be set off by a cigarette and you could end up with a big fireball."

The alarm was raised by Seymour Road resident Danny Minihane, aged 15.

She said: "My auntie lives next door and I heard lots of screaming outside the house, so I went and had a look.

"I had my mobile phone in my pocket and called the fire brigade."

Firefighters closed the road and a 50 metre area around the pipe was cordoned off. People were asked to leave their homes and move back to a safe distance.

The fire also burnt through electricity cables, which then started to spark. United Utilities were called in to isolate electricity supplies.

Water was sprayed on nearby homes to stop them from getting scorched. The flames were allowed to burn until Transco engineers arrived to isolate the gas supply.

Both Transco and United Utilities brought their supplies under control and people were allowed back into their homes at about 12.45pm.

Pat Hill had his home doused with water as it was close to the flames.

He said: "The firemen moved the wheelie bins and I had to move my car so they could spray the side of the home to cool it down."

A spokesman for Transco said contractors were carrying out work at Seymour House, a business premises, when they accidentally damaged a small pipe that takes the gas from the main to the meter.

He said the damage caused the gas to escape and ignite.

Transco engineers were on site at 11.30am and completed their work by 1pm. Only one home's gas supply was affected.

He said: "It was not what we would class as a major incident. But contractors should be checking plans to see where gas pipes are before they start work."

A spokesman for United Utilities said they were called out at around 11.45am and power was restored to homes by the end of the afternoon.

Emma Danson, manager of Seymour House, confirmed that they were evacuated along with other local buildings.