Massive fire in 12 storey residential block in Manchester

Manchester, Dec 31: Massive fire engulfed a residential building in Manchester's Northen Quarter. The fire which broke out in 12-storey residential block was extinguished by 12 fire engines. Authorities advised those nearby to keep windows and doors shut.

Greater Manchester fire and rescue service tweeted: "We're currently tackling a fire on the 9th floor of a 12 storey building on Joiner Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Please avoid the area if possible and keep windows and doors shut if you live nearby."

Aman Thakar, visiting Manchester, said that the fire appeared to have been quickly brought under control.

"We could see firemen working with torches through the windows of some of the floors where there was fire, so hopefully it's being controlled," he said.

"We could see lights on the floors below where the fire was, but nothing in the floors above, so hopefully that also means that non one was trapped up there."

"It looks like a residential block. Everyone watching below was quite calm although we heard 'London' being mentioned a few times in the context of people saying: 'at least it's not as bad'."