THIS is the second tragedy involving children to face firefighters from Bolton.

Just five months ago they were called to a house fire in Daubhill which claimed the lives of three youngsters and their mother.

Crews from Bolton Central who tackled the devastating blaze in Rosamond Street in July were among the 25 firefighters sent to Jackson Street, Walkden this morning. There, a ‘well-developed’ fire had broken out, ripping through two floors.

3 children dead after house fire in Jackson Street, Walkden

Blaze that killed mother and three children in Rosamond Street, Daubhill caused by halogen heat

Firefighters from Farnworth and Eccles fire stations were also sent to the scene after receiving an emergency call from inside the house.

All are now being offered support after facing the ‘horrendous scene’ and rescuing people from various parts of the property.

Damian O’Rourke, area manager for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our first thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved.

“We have got well established mechanisms in the fire service. Everybody has been spoken to on a personal basis and that will carry on over the next couple of days.

“Incidents as tragic as this are thankfully rare, but these are really heartbreaking circumstances and the crew involved will be receiving personal support from our internal health and wellbeing team.

He added: “Firefighters were greeted with a horrendous scene of a well established fire on the ground floor and first floor when they first got there.

“Crews entered using breathing apparatus and managed to rescue the remaining people from the property. The crews did really well to battle their way through and bring the rest of the people out of the property.”

A specialist fire investigation dog was sent to the scene yesterday afternoon as part of the investigation involving the fire service and police.

Mr O’Rourke said: “Although the fire is out, you will see fire appliances staying at the scene at least while the fire investigation is being carried out and just to reassure the community that we are there to help and give safety advice and will be there for the next few days.”