An investigation was underway on Sunday
The fire in Wigan(Image: The Wigan Runner)
An investigation was underway on Sunday after a huge fire overnight in a town centre. Emergency services were called to King Street in Wigan at around 10.30pm on Saturday night.
It’s understood the fire involved the site of the now closed former Jak’s nightclub, but there’s been no official confirmation of that from the fire service.
King Street – busy with Saturday night revellers – was closed by police and it’s understood the blaze led to the closure of other bars nearby.
Reef Bar and Terrace, which is next door, said it evacuated. In a Facebook post early on Sunday, the bar praised its staff, security and DJs, saying: “All carried out an effective and safe evacuation and have all done really well working in an unfamiliar environment tonight. The team is an absolute asset.”
Flames poured out into the night sky(Image: The Wigan Runner)
Fire crews remained at the scene on Sunday morning. Photographs and videos posted on social media showed a huge emergency services response and flames tearing through the derelict building.
There have been no reports of any injuries. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service used a drone to survey the site from the sky and in a social media post on Saturday night, urged people to avoid the area.
According to one witness at the scene, a man was held by police officers for breaching the police cordon put in place.
An investigation is underway(Image: The Wigan Runner)
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At shortly before 10.30pm last night (Saturday 22 November) fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a commercial building on King Street, Wigan
“Six fire engines from Wigan, Hindley, Leigh, Horwich, an engine from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, one Command Unit from Rochdale, one Aerial Ladder Platform from Bolton, one Enhanced Rescue Unit from Ashton and the drone, quickly attended the large fire involving an empty commercial building.
“Firefighters extinguished the fire using two ground monitors and the Aerial Ladder Platform vehicle. Crews remain in attendance.”
The Manchester Evening News has contacted Greater Manchester Police for further comment.
No further details have been revealed.
