"My heart is crying": Devastation after blaze rips through hotel room

Police outside the Assheton Arms Hotel following a fire
-Credit: (Image: Manchester Evening News)


The owner of a Greater Manchester pub and hotel says his “heart is crying” after a fire broke out in one of the hotel rooms.

Emergency services were scrambled to Assheton Arms Hotel on Market Place, Middleton, to reports of a fire just after midnight on Sunday (September 15). Witnesses described seeing eight fire engines in attendance at the peak of the blaze.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed one person had been taken to hospital but there are not believed to be any serious injuries. A man in his 30s has since been arrested suspicion of arson and assault. He remains in police custody for questioning.

READ MORE: Middleton pub fire as crews tackle Assheton Arms Hotel blaze

A police scene remained in place this afternoon while investigations were carried out. Broken glass and debris could be seen within the cordon below two badly scorched and blown out windows.

Tariq Aziz, who owns the Assheton Arms Hotel, told the Manchester Evening News the fire broke out in one of the hotel rooms. Describing the moment he saw smoke coming through to his flat, which adjoins the pub and hotel, the 61-year-old said: “We heard the smoke alarm and shouting, then we saw smoke.

Smoke damage at the Assheton Arms Hotel
Smoke damage at the Assheton Arms Hotel -Credit:Manchester Evening News

“The fire service were here within minutes. We’ve had no incidents like this before. We have 24 hour security and CCTV, but we can’t have cameras in the rooms.”

Tariq said it felt as though his heart was crying as the shocking reality of the blaze sank in this morning. The owner hopes to have the impacted hotel room restored by next week.

“The fire only impacted one room and there is some smoke damage in the lobby,” he added. “My heart is crying. We will try and reopen today. We will start work on the lobby tomorrow and make the bedroom new again next week.”

Crews have been tackling a fire at the Assheton Arms Hotel
Crews have been tackling a fire at the Assheton Arms Hotel -Credit:JMG Press

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Shortly before 12:15am this morning (September 15, 2024), eight fire engines from across Greater Manchester were called to the scene of a fire at a commercial building on Market Place, Middleton.

"Crews arrived quickly and worked overnight to extinguish the fire. Firefighters used six breathing apparatus, three hose reels, a thermal imaging camera and two nine metre ladders.

"All casualties were transferred into the care of North West Ambulance Service and one casualty has been conveyed to hospital. Crews remain in attendance at this time to monitor the premises and ensure the area is safe.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police added: "At around 12.15am this morning (Sunday, September 15 2024), we were called to reports of a fire at a hotel on Market Place in Middleton, Rochdale.

"Emergency services attended and arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of arson and assault. He remains in police custody for questioning. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, and investigations are ongoing."