FIREFIGHTERS were faced with syringes and human excrement as they tackled a house fire last night.

Crews were called to Wilkinson Street in Leigh at 8.30pm after a fire broke out in the front room of a house.

The fire was well alight as firefighters entered the house wearing breathing apparatus.

Watch manager Ian Gardener said: "We think the fire was started by smoking materials, but it is still under investigation. There was no one in the house at the time.

"There were syringes on the floor and human excrement. We will be relaying this information to the council."

Fire ripped through the front room leaving it badly damaged.

Firefighters from Atherton, Leigh and Hindley attended.

Crews were on the the scene for one and half hours.