Westhoughton: Car crashes into row of terraced houses

Just before 1am today, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to Bolton Road to reports of a car on fire following a crash.

Dave Oultran, a retired radio and television electronic engineer, was going to bed when he heard the "bang" outside.

Dave Oultran was on his way to bed when he heard what he thought was an explosion outside (Image: Newsquest)

The 83-year-old said: "I saw the aftermath, it was one hell of a bang - it sounded like an explosion.

"It hit that row of houses, it hit the first one then barrelled along and finished up at the end - it even managed to hit her sky dish.

"There was lots of steam and smoke coming from the car, and the one it hit was my neighbour's at the end - she only picked it up yesterday."

The crash happened on Bolton Road, Westhoughton (Image: Adam)

As many as six properties were damaged after the car lost control - even managing to strike a satellite dish of the end terraced home with its wheel, Mr Oultran told The Bolton News.

He added: "It's not the first time it has happened, it happened about seven years ago - with that they were coming the same way."

While Mr Oultran explained an incident happened a number of years ago, a woman who lives in the terrace in the middle of the row explained that it was in fact the second time in just a matter of weeks that her property has been damaged by a car accident.

A porch from one of the houses has been completely destroyed (Image: Newsquest)

Recalling the incident, she said: “It was about 1.10am last night, we heard this almighty crash.

"I had no idea what it was, it just sounded like a train - it was very, very loud.

"Lots of people were out and the car at the end was hit, then the driver's car set on fire - it was absolute chaos."

The car is believed to have lost control and collided with the house on the right before barrel-rolling across the terrace block and landing on a white Citroen (Image: NQ)

She added: "It felt like time stood still, it was very eerie in the middle of the night, no one could see anything.

"This is the second time recently that my wall has been damaged, I don’t think people realise the bend is quite strong."

A road closure was in place after the police cordoned the area off, but has now been reopened.

The car is believed to have barrel-rolled before crashing into a white Citroen (Image: Newsquest)

Another resident, who lives in one of the properties that was damaged in the crash added: “It all happened very fast.

“There were two cars involved, one of them landed in my garden - it sounded like an explosion.”

The Bolton News understands that the second car involved was stationary.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At just before 1am today, Sunday 19 May, fire crews were called to reports of a car fire on Bolton Road, Westhoughton.

A drain pipe on a house at the end of the row was damaged, as well as a brick on the property - making it the sixth to have taken damage (Image: Newsquest)

“Three fire engines from Bolton, Hindley and Atherton quickly attended the incident which involved one vehicle.

“Crews arrived quickly at scene and extinguished the fire using one hose reel jet."

They continued: “A hearth kit and gas monitor was also used at the scene.

“One casualty was assessed by North West Ambulance Service on scene.

“Firefighters were in attendance for approximately 50 minutes.”

Despite six properties being damaged, a casualty, and the road being cordoned off, Greater Manchester Police refused to comment as they had not been notified by the serious  collision unit.

North West Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.