A family was "extremely lucky" after a fire broke out at a property in Bolton after they had left it an hour and a half earlier.

Halliwell Road was closed for around three hours after a fire broke out.

Emergency services were called to the spot near near Raglan Street at around 10.15pm.

A fire had broke out in a terraced house after the occupants had left.

Police, fire and ambulance were there until 1.30am this morning.

The cause of the fire is unclear but a firefighter has issued a warning about older white appliances such as fridges and washing machines.

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Watch manager Carl Gleaves from Bolton North said: "We had an incident at a house on Halliwell Road in Bolton.

"We were called to that at 10.15pm and we were there until 1.30.

"We had three appliances, one from Bolton North and two from Bolton central.

"It was quite an extensive fire.

"It was at a mid terraced house, the police and ambulance were called.

"There were reports of people inside the house.

"Fortunately they were not inside the house.

"Five people have moved to safety.

"Neighbours were also removed due to a significant amount of smoke.

"Determining the cause is still officially ongoing.

"Our message would be to be wary of older white goods such as fridges, freezers and washing machines.

"The family were extremely lucky.

"They had an appliance on and left the house.

"The neighbours called them to an hour and a half later to say it had set on fire.

"Had that happened after they had gone to bed it would have been a completely different story.

"Fortunately the smoke alarms were working."