TWO families fled their homes after a huge garden fire spread to the buildings.

The drama happened at 12.30 on Tuesday morning in Hayling Close, Bury.

Fire crews from Whitefield, Bury, Bolton, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall attended the scene.

A spokseman for Whitefield Fire Station said: "It was a large fire - certainly bigger than your average one.

"The fire began in the garden of one of the semi-detached properties burning up a shed, decking and fencing.

 "It spread to the rear of the property and the house next door causing extensive damage to the roofs,fascia and guttering."

The two families evacuated their homes before fire crews arrived.

The fire was extinguished but two crews were still at the scene at 7.30am.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated.