FIREFIGHTERS put out a chimney blaze in Prestwich last night.

Crews were called to Gardner Road at 10pm after residents spotted sparks and smoke coming from the chimney of a terraced house.

Firefighters used ladders to climb onto the roof and put out the blaze, which is believed to have been caused by a faulty door on a wood burner in the fireplace.

This allowed oxygen to reach soot deposits higher up the chimney, setting them alight.

An elderly man and his daughter-in-law were in the house and, after calling 999, had got themselves out by the time firefighters arrived.

Both were uninjured and there was minimal damage to the property.