POLICE and firefighters were involved in an incident on Union Street yesterday evening.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "At approximately 6.30pm two fire engines from Oldham and Hollins stations attended an incident on Union Street in Oldham, to reports of a group of people in a derelict building.

“Crews worked alongside Greater Manchester Police at the scene and guided the group to safety out of the building.

"Crews were in attendance for around 20 minutes."

The Oldham Times:

It is understood the building involved was the old Prudential Assurance Building.

Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.

Council bosses agreed in March to compulsory purchase the listed building and ‘major heritage asset’ saying it had been ‘left to rot’.

The cabinet approved plans to bring the Union Street building back into use as part of the Future High Street Fund programme.

It is aimed to repair the inside and outside to create a ’21st century incubator facility’ for businesses, focusing on the creative, digital, and media sectors.