FIREFIGHTERS spent nearly three hours tackling an overnight blaze involving two skips which spread to a nearby property.

The flames were put out by fire crews in Atherton in the early hours, with two fire engines attending the scene in Bolton Road.

Firefighters used hose reels to extinguish the blaze.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after midnight in the early hours of Wednesday, January 26, two fire engines from Atherton and Hindley fire stations were called to attend a fire on Bolton Road, Atherton.

“The fire involved two skips and had spread to the outbuilding of a domestic property. Crews were quickly in attendance and firefighters used two hose reels to extinguish the fire and make the area safe.

“GMFRS crews were at the scene for just under three hours.”