FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze at a flat in Atherton yesterday.

The fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately, spread through the first floor of the flat in Queen's Avenue.

The flat is believed to have been recently used by squatters and many belongings were destroyed in the blaze which started at 6.45am.

Firefighters had to tread carefully through the flat which was littered with used hypodermic needles.