Dramatic footage captured the intense blaze engulfing a car on Manchester Road in Westhoughton on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency services, including police and fire crews, responded swiftly to the incident reported around 3:45 pm. Residents in the vicinity recalled hearing a loud explosion and witnessing the car emitting smoke prior to the arrival of emergency services.
The vehicle, parked along the pavement on the residential street, was consumed by flames as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. It took approximately half an hour for the fire crews to bring the situation under control.
At this time, the cause of the fire and the status of the individuals involved remain undetermined. Greater Manchester Police has not yet provided any official statements on the matter.
A local resident claimed that a woman and two children had occupied the car but managed to escape before the explosion and the subsequent arrival of emergency services. Another resident stated that the occupants were already outside the vehicle when the flames erupted, having noticed heavy smoke earlier.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed the incident and provided details of the response. “One fire engine from Atherton was dispatched to Manchester Road, Westhoughton, at approximately 3:45 pm today (Wednesday, April 24) following reports of a car fire,” the spokesperson said. “Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus utilized two hose reels to swiftly extinguish the blaze and secure the surrounding area. Crews remained on-site for about half an hour.”
