Emergency services conducted a desperate search for potential victims after a derelict pub in Greater Manchester erupted into a ball of flames on Sunday evening.
Firefighters Battle Blaze at Historic Pub
Shortly before 6pm on Sunday, 18th January, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) received urgent calls reporting a significant fire at a commercial property. Crews were dispatched to York Street in Heywood, Rochdale, where the former White Lion pub was alight.
Multiple fire engines from Rochdale and Bury stations raced to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found the first floor of the abandoned building well ablaze. They immediately deployed hose reels to combat the flames, which could be seen tearing through the structure as thick smoke billowed into the evening sky.
Urgent Search for Victims Carried Out
Given the intensity of the fire, a critical priority for the emergency teams was to establish if anyone was inside the derelict premises. A thorough search for potential casualties was swiftly conducted amidst the ongoing firefighting operation.
Fortunately, nobody was found within the building. The cause of the sudden blaze has not yet been determined, and investigations are expected to follow once the site is made safe.
Tragic History of the White Lion Pub
This incident adds a further chapter of distress to the story of the White Lion pub. The establishment has stood empty and damaged since a horrific incident in July 2024.
At that time, 23-year-old university graduate Will Place was tragically killed when the car he was driving was involved in a collision, ploughed into the pub, and burst into flames. The crash, which occurred after police had attempted to stop the vehicle on nearby Bolton Road, caused extensive damage and a major fire.
Will was pronounced dead at the scene. The pub has remained closed and derelict ever since that fatal event.
A GMFRS spokesperson confirmed the details of tonight's fire, stating crews remained in attendance to carry out safety checks and ensure the area was secure. The community of Heywood is now left confronting the charred remains of a local landmark, first shattered by tragedy and now by fire.
