A SHOP in Halliwell has been destroyed in a huge blaze.

Firefighters combed the Just Convenience store in Halliwell Road, and the five flats above it, searching for inhabitants, after being called at about 11pm on September 13.

People on the street reported to the crews that they could hear ‘knocking’ inside, which sparked fears that people were trapped, although extensive searches found no one inside.

Nobody is thought to have been injured in the blaze.

The inside of the flat and two of the flats above it have been destroyed, while the other three were heavily smoke logged.

About 20 firefighters tackled the blaze, which was well underway when crews arrived.

The cause of the blaze is unknown and under joint investigation by a specialist fire team working closely with a police Crime Scene Investigation unit.

Station manager Ben Levy, the officer in charge said: “When firefighters arrived at Halliwell Road they were greeted with a well-developed fire involving a ground-floor shop and the two flats above it.

“We got the job as a ‘persons reported’ which means there could have been someone inside. Additionally, the first crews in attendance were met by members of the public indicating that people were trapped.

“Wearing breathing apparatus firefighters were committed into the building in extreme heat and very thick smoke.

“The fire involved the entire ground floor shop and two flats above. Three further flats were heavily smoke logged and also needed to be searched. Thankfully, no people were found in the building and were later accounted for elsewhere.

“Hose reels were used by other firefighters to surround the fire and stop it from spreading further – they did a fantastic job and worked in very hot and arduous conditions.”

Safety cordons resulted in Halliwell Road being shut for a short period, while one crew remained at the scene as of 11am today.

The front and side of the business is charred, while several windows are broken and the side guttering has been torn away from the building.

The owner of a nearby business, who asked not to be named, said: “We do not know the owners of the shop really, only by sight.

“We were just pulling the shutters down and the next minute that shop was on fire.

“The main thing is that everybody is safe. You can replace items but you cannot replace life.”