FIRE BREAKS OUT AT HISTORIC WIGAN PUB JOHN BULL CHOP HOUSE

Firefighters extinguished a fire that broke out at the John Bull Chop House in Wigan town centre in the early hours of Tuesday, 4 August. Four fire engines from Wigan, Atherton and Leigh fire stations were called to the pub on Coopers Row at approximately 4am. Crews used breathing apparatus, three hose reels, one hose reel jet and specialist equipment to bring the blaze under control. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed no-one was injured in the incident.

The John Bull Chop House is one of Greater Manchester's best-known pubs and is believed to date back to the 17th century; it became Grade II-listed in 1998. A 50-metre exclusion zone was established around the building to keep the public safe. The Wiend Bar, which sits adjacent to the John Bull Chop House, confirmed via social media that the fire did not spread to its premises. According to the adjacent bar's account, damage to the John Bull appeared to be confined to one end of the building.

Wigan Council announced at 8:40am that the fire had been extinguished and the cordon would be lifted shortly. The council urged residents to avoid the area whilst emergency services remained in attendance at the scene.