Residents have reported hearing an 'explosion' after a 'lightning strike hit a house' and sparked a fire in the roof.
A huge emergency service respond was sparked after the blaze broke out in a terraced house on Store Street in Ashton-under-Lyne this morning.
Some residents had to be evacuated from their homes and a nearby preschool was forced to close due to the incident.
One neighbour said they heard a large bang this morning which 'sounded like an explosion' while another said it 'sounded like a bomb had gone off'.
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The M.E.N understands that the fire is 'believed to have been caused by a lightning strike'.
Investigations are ongoing and fire crews are expected to remain at the scene for a number of hours today.
A cordon was in place around the house, which has now been lifted.
At least five fire engines were pictured on the road today, with police also at the scene.
Pictures also showed significant damage to the roof of the house affected by the fire.
No-one is believed to have been injured in the blaze, the M.E.N understands.
Residents who were evacuated 'as a safety precaution' have been let back into their homes, though it is believed that some houses are still without electricity.
In a statement, a spokesperson from GMFRS said:" At approximately 7am on Friday, 7 th January, firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a terraced property on Store Street, in Ashton-under-Lyne.
"Fire engines from Ashton, Oldham, Stalybridge and Chadderton fire stations, alongside the aerial appliance from Manchester Central station, quickly attended the scene.
"The fire involved the roof space of an end terraced house.
"A number of houses on the street have been evacuated as a safety precaution.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have extinguished the fire using hose reel jets, an aerial ladder and other specialist equipment."
Station Manager Ken Booth, officer in charge at the scene, said: "Firefighters were called to a fire involving the second floor of an end terrace property.
"Fire crews have worked to prevent spread to the next-door terrace. The fire has been extinguished.
"Crews remain at the scene clearing debris and making sure the scene is safe.
"Firefighters expect to remain at the scene for a number of hours."
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