A FIRE ripped through the roof of a farm cottage this morning, leaving the house unsafe to stay in.

Three fire crews rushed to the scene in Over Hulton, where a cottage belonging to a couple was alight after the chimney caught fire.

Owners John and Jean Collier had an open fire burning in their cottage and only found out about the blaze after a passerby alerted them to.

Mrs Collier said: "It was the chimney that was on fire. We had an open fire going.

"We didn't even smell it, it was a passerby - a kind passerby - who saw the flames.

"We're obviously in shock. I'm still in shock."

Firefighters began battling the blaze in the roof of the house at 9.05am this morning. The fire was put out quickly, but the crews remained at the scene for three hours, securing the property.

Mr and Mrs Collier got out of the house and were unhurt, along with their two dogs.

The pair have to move out to their caravan, as it is unknown whether there has been any structural damage.

Mrs Collier added: "We can't do anything about the damage until the assessors have been in. We're not allowed to stay here until we know if there's structural damage."

The roof was stripped back partially to check the fire was completely extinguished by crews from Bolton Central, Farnworth and Atherton. 

The cottage is neighboured by another cottage, with the two properties sharing a roof. 

Mrs Collier said: "Fortunately we've got good neighbours. Their house could have gone up as well because it's a shared loft.

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "We managed to stop it, but it was all the stripping back that took time.

"The crew that got there first stopped it. We had to make sure that it was out.

"We're now waiting for an investigation to be done."