FIRE CREWS from across Greater Manchester were tested their skills in fighting high-rise fires.

The multi-million pound Bury Training and Safety Centre (TSC) was used to stage a mock exercise in which firefighters were called to a block of student flats as part of their first high rise building exercise off this year.

During the mock incident, crews were greeted by smoke billowing from fifth-floor windows of fictional student accommodation ‘Manchester Towers’, with reports of casualties and a person unaccounted for.

The training session saw ten fire engines and specialist appliances, including an aerial appliance, mobilised to the scene with fire crews searching the building and tackling the blaze.n

In  2019 firefighters were called to The Cube fire in neighbouring Bolton and put into practice new policies formed following the devastating Grenfell Tower tragedy.

This undoubtedly saved lives in The Cube fire.

The Cube Fire: Lessons from Grenfell Tragedy saved lives in Bolton

A spokesman for Greater Manchester and Fire Service said: " As part of its commitment to providing a fast, safe and effective response – as outlined in Greater Manchester’s first Fire Plan - Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) delivers regular high rise training, with Exercise McDonald taking place on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the Service’s Training and Safety Centre (TSC) in Bury.

"The organisation’s TSC allows the service and its partners to carry out large-scale exercises simulating realistic, and often complex, incidents. Huge refurbishments are currently underway at the centre and will see the introduction of a cutting-edge Incident Command and Leadership Development Academy later this year as part of the GMFRS’ Estates Improvements Programme."