A man has been airlifted to hospital after a Wigan house fire

The victim, said to be elderly, managed to escape the flames and smoke but was in need of urgent medical attention.

Emergency services descended on Coniston Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield, this afternoon (Wednesday January 7) after they received reports of a fire at a semi-detached house there.

The North West Air Ambulance landed on the playing fields of Nicol Mere Primary School some distance away and the casualty was later taken to hospital by the helicopter.

The condition of the victim is not known.

Three police cars, an ambulance and two fire engines were spotted at the scene and the road was cordoned off by officers.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 3pm this afternoon, firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a residential address in Ashton-In-Makerfield.

“Three fire engines from Wigan, Hindley, Leigh fire station quickly arrived at the scene, where the ground floor and first floor of a semi-detached house was on fire. Firefighters used jets, breathing apparatus and positive pressure ventilation to extinguish the fire.

“One elderly male casualty had self-rescued from the property before the arrival of the fire service, and was conveyed to hospital via air ambulance by colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service.

“A cordon around the scene remains in place and firefighters remain at the scene as they continue to dampen down hotspots and carry out further checks to the building and neighbouring property.”

A neighbour said that the house in question is semi-derelict and occupied by a reclusive older man.

Another said that it looked like the fire might have started in the kitchen at the rear.