A FIRE broke out last night, Thursday, on the second floor of a building that was in danger of collapsing last year.

Three fire engines were called to the second floor of the Marklands building on the corner of Elliott Street and Stanley Street in Tyldesley at around 8pm where a blaze had broke out.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said a 13m ladder, breathing apparatus and a hose reel were used to bring the fire under control.

Crews were on the scene for around one hour and 20 minutes.

The spokesman was not able to confirm what the cause of the fire was.

The town centre building, which has 14 flats above the shops, was evacuated last June after Wigan Council said it was at risk of collapsing.

Residents who lived there were forced to leave.

Elliott Street, the main road in the town centre, was closed off causing a detrimental effect on businesses.

Seven months on, scaffolding remains at the building, which is privately owned, with business owners uncertain about when the situation will be resolved.