A pile of rubbish went up in flames next to a block of student flats on Oxford Road.
Firefighters were called to the blaze below student accommodation on the corner of Chester Road at around 5.40pm tonight.
A tent was among the rubbish, one onlooker said.
The fire is now out and crews have left the scene.
A photograph shows a group of residents stood on the pavement observing the fire.
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A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said: "We were called to a fire involving a large quantity of rubbish at 5.40pm.
"Firefighters checked a commercial property on the ground floor.
"The fire is now out and the crew have left. "
No one is believed to have been hurt.
