SIX elderly neighbours were evacuated as fire destroyed a first-floor flat early today.

Firemen are still investigating the cause of the blaze at Sunningdale Grove, Leigh, and the possibility of arson has not been ruled out.

Firemen were alerted by neighbours at 3am, and a crew was still damping down at the scene six hours later.

No-one was in the flat at the time of the blaze and its occupant, Tracy Smith, 30, was still being traced by police this morning.

The elderly neighbours who were evacuated as a precaution, were allowed to return to their homes after safety checks.

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