A huge blaze has broken out at university student halls in Greater Manchester, causing up to hundreds to be evacuated.

Fire crews are currently tackling the large fire in Bolton while police have closed a number of roads around the area.

Images and videos posted on social media show firefighters tackling huge flames bursting out of the windows on the top floors of a building on Bradshawgate.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said 20 fire engines were at the scene and that the building was being evacuated.

Emergency services said they received a call at 8.50pm on Friday, while eyewitnesses reported seeing students ‘crying on their phones’ at the scene.

One student wrote on Twitter that she had to dash out and leave her belongings behind but added that ‘the main thing is I’m out and I’m safe’.

Mike Claridge said: ‘Bolton student accommodation fire looks serious. Cladding falling in flames and whole block looks on fire in videos on Twitter.

‘Hoping and praying all were able to get out.’

Dominic Walsh, 36, who was in a nearby curry house, told MailOnline: ‘We could smell smoke and we thought it was just coming from the kitchen, then a couple of fire engines rocked up and then a few people were coming out of the building, and then a few more.

‘When we stepped out we could see the embers in the sky. We could see the building glowing at the top.’

He said he thought around 50 to 100 people were evacuated from the building which houses university students.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) also said they were at the scene.

GMP Bolton North posted on Facebook: ‘We are currently dealing with an incident on Bradshawgate and have a number of road closures in place.

‘Please avoid the area until further notice.’

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