AN electrical fault is being blamed for starting a fire which ripped through the roof a house.

Around 20 firefighters battled the blaze which broke out in a semi-detached house in Sandringham Road in Horwich, last night.

Firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night and were praised for their quick actions in stopping the fire from spreading and damaging other parts of the house.

Andy Hardman, Station Manager at Bolton Community Fire Station, said: “I want to praise the quick and intelligent actions of crews from five fire stations across Greater Manchester, who upon arrival were able to prevent significant damage to the adjoining property.

“GMFRS established control of the fire within 35 minutes of the first engine on the scene. Thereafter it has become a delicate operation to make the partially collapsed roof safe and we are utilising a Hydraulic Platform with a member of crew entering the roof space using a harness.”

Five fire engines from Horwich, Bolton, Bolton North, Farnworth and Stretford fire stations, and a Hydraulic Platform also from Stretford, were called to the scene at 9.21pm.

A family had escaped the blaze and as firefighters arrived the roof space was well alight.

Mr Hardman said: “The house is a semi-detached property and though some of the roof has collapsed GMFRS firefighters have worked extremely hard to minimise fire spread and successfully prevent the neighbouring home from sustaining damage.”