'My dog woke me with a little bark, then I saw the fire engines'
A cordon in place on Wilmslow Road, Heald Green(Image: Manchester Evening News)An otherwise peaceful night was thrown into chaos as emergency services rushed to a house fire in South Manchester in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The large detached property was still cordoned off the following day as detectives went door to door conducting enquiries.Large blackened scorch marks were visible on the house's empty driveway, with the front door and porch area having sustained heavy damage in the blaze. On the pavement in front was what appeared to be the remains of a burnt-out wheelie bin.Investigations continued the day after as a forensics van was also dispatched to the scene. Police have confirmed that fortunately no-one was present at the property at the time and nobody was hurt.Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERENeighbours were woken up as emergency services extinguished the fire and set up a cordon."I just woke up because the dog was growling, he hears someone go past and gives off a little bark," one resident told the Manchester Evening News."There were three fire engines and loads of police cars were outside.Officers at the scene on Wilmslow Road, Heald Green(Image: Manchester Evening News)"I could smell the smoke because the bedroom window was open. I think it was a wheelie bin or something, pushed up against the door."They added: "I just hope everyone's alright."Another resident said: "We opened the curtains and saw that the police car was there and the house was cordoned off."Someone was left shocked at what had happened, saying: "I've lived here 20 odd years, there's never normally any trouble round here."A GMP spokesperson told the M.E.N.: "Shortly before 1am on Wednesday, May 7 2025, we were called to reports of a fire at an address on Wilmslow Road, Cheadle."Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished. No one was in the property and there are no injuries to report. Enquiries are ongoing."A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service added: "At 12.40am on Wednesday (May 7) three fire engines from Wythenshawe and Cheadle fire stations attended a fire at a detached house on Wilmslow Road, Heald Green."The fire involved the door of the home and firefighters used hose reels to extinguish the fire. Crews were in attendance for around one-and-a-half hours."
