A WOMAN has died after a house collapsed in Ramsbottom on Wednesday night.

Emergency services were called to East View, Summerseat at around 9.20pm on Wednesday evening to reports of a collapsed house.

Police evacuated five neighbouring properties and a police cordon remains in place this morning.

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Paramedics treated three other people at the scene for minor injuries, while a woman and a child were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Watch manager Steve Wilcock, incident commander, said: "I want to first pass on my condolences to the family and friends of the woman who tragically lost her life at this incident - our thoughts are with them at what must be an incredibly sad and difficult time.

"Given the nature of this scene I must also praise the professionalism and dedication of the firefighters who have worked here all night in the driving rain, as well as throughout the morning.

"An investigation is now under way so it would not be appropriate to speculate at this time on a probable cause.

"It's also important to place on record our appreciation for the help and co-operation of local people.

"Summerseat is a close-knit community and there has been an outpouring of support, with many neighbours offering their homes to those evacuated from roughly 20 houses last night.

Earlier a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers responding to reports of a collapsed house in Ramsbottom have sadly found the body of a woman.

"Emergency services were called just before 9.30pm last night to reports that a house had collapsed on East View in Summerseat.

"Five properties were evacuated as a precaution and a small scene remains in place.

"A woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"Three people were treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries. A woman and a child were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident.

"A joint investigation is currently underway between GMP, GMFRS and Bury local authority partners."

Firefighters have remained at the scene throughout the day as they continued to put out pockets of fire.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said earlier this morning: “At 9:21pm on February 17 fire engines from Ramsbottom, Whitefield, Bolton North, two Technical Response Units from Leigh and Ashton-under-Lyne, and the urban search and rescue dogs from Lancashire and Merseyside Fire and Rescue responded to reports of an explosion and collapsed property on East View, Summerseat.

"Firefighters are in attendance using two breathing apparatus and one hose reel to extinguish seats of fire.

"Evacuation of neighbouring properties was carried out by Greater Manchester Police.

"Two casualties have been conveyed to hospital and two further casualties received precautionary checks on scene by North West Ambulance Service. The incident is ongoing.”

The ambulance service confirmed that they treated casualties at the scene and took two people to hospital.