Crane smashes into roof of terraced house in Greater Manchester

A crane has toppled over and smashed into the roof of a terraced house in Greater Manchester.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 10.30am on Saturday following reports of a crane damaging a property in Atherton, Wigan.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said that a lorry carrying the crane had overturned in the road.

Images posted on social media show that the crane had crashed through the roof of the building and severely damaged the front wall of the property.

Flapper Fold Lane has been closed from Gloucester Street to Brierfield Avenue, with a cordon in place while officers ensure that the area is safe.

Footage posted on social media later showed the crane being winched from the building.

Imogen Clyde-Smith tweeted: “The crane is now being gradually lifted.”

The occupants of the home are being supported by police.

A spokesman for GMFRS said: “At around 10:30am today (Saturday 6th April), firefighters were called to reports of a crane that had fallen through the side of a residential property in Atherton, Wigan.

“One fire engine from Atherton fire station quickly arrived at the scene, where a lorry carrying the crane had overturned in the roadway. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) established a cordon on the street, while firefighters worked to isolate the gas and electricity to the property and clear spilled fuel from the roadway.

“The scene has now been left with GMP and the crane operating company to arrange recovery of the crane. The occupants are being supported by the local authority to find temporary accommodation.”

The crane collapsing caused a fire to break out, police said.

There have been no reported injuries. An investigation has been launched.

Sgt Luke Mclachlan, from GMP’s Wigan and Leigh District, said: “Officers are working, alongside emergency services to investigate and clean up an incident involving a crane colliding with a residential building.

“Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, and enquiries are ongoing to find out how this happened.

“A scene is expected to remain in place until later today and we ask members of the public to please avoid the area.

“We would like to thank you for your patience while we respond to this incident.”

It comes as Storm Kathleen batters the UK with gusts of wind up to 70mph.

Dozens of flights have been disrupted following yellow weather warnings for wind, rain and snow on Saturday.

Travellers have been left stranded in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Belfast as about 70 flights across the UK have been cancelled.

It is not yet known if the crane incident was caused by the strong winds.