Crews from Heywood and Whitefield were called at around 12.25pm today.

Watch Manager Phil Courtnell from Whitefield Fire Station said: "When we got there the trailer was on its side and was still attached to the Land Rover. The driver said he was coming up to Junction 17 when the tyre blew and the trailer started snaking. He tried to control it but it collided with a wall and the trailer with 46 sheep inside ended on its side."

Firefighters used low pressure airbags and winches to right the trailer and then an operation began to transfer the surviving sheep to an alternative trailer to continue the journey.

The RSPCA set up a temporary fencing area so that they could contain the animals and transfer them to the new trailer.

Watch Manager Courtnell added: "The RSPCA put the trailer on the hard shoulder and both sides of the motorway were closed temporarily while the sheep were transferred.

"We managed to rescue around 18 sheep in total."

Firefighters were called to a first floor flat on Mason Street, Horwich, at 5.05pm on Monday, February 20, after the fire had already gone out.

A woman had discovered there had been a small fire in the flat in which a toaster on top of an electric hob had been burned.

The only explanation was that the dog had jumped up onto the hob, knocked the controls and made the appliance turn on.

Firefighters from Horwich Fire Station went out to see the woman and fitted three smoke alarms in the flat.

A crew went back the following day to do a full Home Safety Check at the flat, which includes advice on how to keep a home as safe from fire as possible and firefighters helping residents devise an escape plan in case they were to suffer a fire.

Councillor David Acton, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority chairman, said: "Fortunately, the damage from this fire was limited to the cooker and toaster and neither anyone living there nor the pet was injured.

"This incident shows that life is full of strange accidents - like a dog jumping up and knocking the switches to turn a hob on - and we can't hope to prevent all of these things happening.

"However, a Home Safety Check allows us to work with residents so their homes are protected as far as possible and, if the worst happens and they do suffer a fire, we can make sure they get the earliest warning by fitting smoke alarms and know what to do until our firefighters get there."

For a Home Safety Check, which as well as advice and support, may include GMFRS fitting up to two free smoke alarms, please call on 0800 555 815 or visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx

Firefighters have been called to a number of cooking-related incidents over the past 24 hours, all of which could have been avoided.

Among the incidents was a toaster left unattended that had caused a fire in Marshwood Drive, Blackley, at around 10.20am.

Unattended food on a grill pan was the cause of a fire Melville Road, Kearsley, at around 11.15am.

A woman suffered smoke inhalation following a fire in Moorside Road, Mossley, at around 5.10pm, which was caused by a pan of food left unattended.

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton, said: "Please think when you are cooking and make sure you are keeping yourself and your home safe from fire. So many of the kitchen fires we attend could have been so easily avoided, preventing the distress and damage caused."

The message couldn't be more timely, with today being Shrove Tuesday and many households preparing to cook pancakes.

Here are our top five tips for preventing fires in your kitchen:

• Never leave cooking unattended, not even to answer the door or phone, as a fire could develop while you are distracted
• Keep your oven, hob and grill clean. A build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire
• Check the toaster is clean and away from curtains and kitchen rolls
• Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used and service them regularly
• Swap your chip pan for an electric deep fat fryer - electrically deep fat fryers that plug into the wall are much safer to use.

A 57-year-old man had been working in the office at Windacre Mill, Mather Road, Bury, when it collapsed at about 11.10am on Monday, February 20.

The man managed to call the fire service as he was unable to move, having suffered a broken ankle in the collapse.

Crews from Bury Fire Station and a specialist unit from Ashton Fire Station in Tameside went out to the scene.

They used a ladder, hooli tool and breaking-in gear to reach the man and rescued him from the building on a spine board.

The man was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Firefighters were called to the house in Ravenswood Road at 7.10pm on Saturday, February 18, following reports of a fire.

Six firefighters in breathing apparatus went into the property to search for people inside.

Luckily there was nobody in the property, which is under renovation, but the front living room was completely gutted by the fire.

The cause of the fire was a short circuit on an extension lead to a fan heater.

We have advice on electrical fire safety available here: /fire_safety_advice/home_fire_safety/electrical_equipment.aspx 

Crews from Salford and Manchester Central fire stations were called out to a house on James Henry Avenue, Ordsall, at 4pm on Sunday, February 19, following a report a man's clothes were on fire.

The fire was out when the crews arrived but firefighters gave the 51-year-old first aid until an ambulance arrived.

He had suffered burns to his back and was taken straight to a specialist burns unit for treatment.

The man's clothes caught fire after he had leaned too close to a cooker.

Councillor David Acton, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "So many of the fires we are called to start in the kitchen when food is left just for a few moments.

"February is Cooking Fire Safety Month so we are reiterating the importance of cooking safely - but it is always vital that cooking is never left unattended, even to answer the phone or the door.

"Serious fires can start when you are distracted, even for a few seconds."

For more advice about safety in the kitchen go to www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_safety/safety_in_kitchen.aspx 

For a Home Safety Check, which as well as advice and support, may include GMFRS fitting up to two free smoke alarms, please call on 0800 555 815 or visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx

Two crews from Ashton were called to the Al Balal restaurant on Penny Meadow at 5.59pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

Using a fire extinguisher and a fan they put the fire out, but the fire damaged around 25 percent of the kitchen.

Fire trauma technicians treated a 65-year-old man for smoke inhalation, giving him oxygen.

He was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital suffering from superficial burns to the back of his hands and forehead.

February is Cooking Fire Safety Month.  Never leave cooking unattended - even to answer the phone or the door - serious fires can start when you are distracted, even for a few seconds.

When cooking fried food, dry it before you put it in the hot oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool. Never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil. Never throw water over the pan.

For tips on how to avoid a kitchen fire visit /fire_safety_advice/home_fire_safety/safety_in_kitchen.aspx

Firefighters from Stretford Fire Station and the Inshore Rescue Unit from Eccles were called out to Millennium Nature Reserve, Eddisbury Avenue, at 3.50pm on Sunday, February 19.

The 19-year-old owner had tried to rescue the dog from the water himself before calling the fire service.

Firefighters from Stretford pulled the dog free with manpower alone and got the Staffordshire Bull Terrier out before the Inshore Rescue Unit arrived at the scene.

An ambulance also went to the scene but the dog owner declined any treatment.

Councillor David Acton, chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "Water is dangerous so please keep dogs on leads and away from water - never go in and try to rescue pets, it can be very dangerous."

For more information about safety around water, please go to /fire_safety_advice/seasonal_safety/water_safety.aspx

Two engines and a Water Incident Unit were called to the scene.  Firefighters, using a ladder, life jackets and safety lines, rescued the female from the canal.

She was quickly transferred to an ambulance for precautionary checks and later transferred to Tameside General Hospital. The woman left the hospital before being seen by anybody from the medical team.

Three engines, a specialist command unit and a technical team were called to the scene, supported by a specialist fire officer trained in dealing with hazardous materials. 

Firefighters using chemical protection suits completed an initial survey in an attempt to identify the liquid and the size and nature of the spillage, also ensuring it was contained to the site.

Six 25 litre drums were located and local residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed in a 50 metre radius from the location of the drums.

The specialist technical team quickly identified the material as low risk thinners based liquid, and an operation to clean up the spillage was then instigated.

One male, who had discovered the drums, had been overcome by the vapours given off. He was treated at the scene by paramedic colleagues and later taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for precautionary check-up.

The men were driving along the M56, just off Altrincham Road at junction 3a eastbound, when the vehicle veered off the road and hit the central reservation.

The van travelled a further 200ft before turning on its roof and the driver and passenger, who were not wearing seatbelts, were thrown from the van.

Firefighters from Wythenshawe were called to the scene just after 2.30am on Friday, February 17.

The crews gave first aid to the men and made the vehicle safe.

The driver, a 49-year-old, suffered multiple injuries while the passenger, a 31-year-old, suffered leg injuries.

The men were taken to hospital and their injuries are serious but are not believed to be life threatening.

Watch Manager Paul Green said: "It's miraculous the men weren't more severely injured. They are extremely lucky."

Safety advice:

•    Any person aged 14 or over is responsible for their own seatbelt and will be responsible for paying their own £60 fine
•    All children up to 135cm or up to aged 12-years-old must be in a stable car seat
•    Since February 26, 2007, anyone caught driving whilst using a mobile phone while driving will automatically fined £60 and receive three points on their licence.

Firefighters from Leigh and Hindley were called to Elm Avenue just after 7pm on Thursday, February 16.

A bedside lamp had been placed on the floor next to a door which was covered with a sheet to stop the draught getting in.  

The lamp became too hot and ignited the sheet which sparked a large fire as the couple slept and they woke to find the bedroom filled with thick black smoke and flames.

As the doorway was blocked by the fire, the couple were forced to jump from the window.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the house to fight the fire while the man and woman, believed to be in their 30s, were given first aid.

The couple were then taken to hospital by ambulance suffering smoke inhalation, burns, cuts and broken bones.

Watch Manager Martin White said: "The fire was developing quickly and there was thick black smoke. It was that bad that the couple had to break the window to get out.

"The fire caused around 30 per cent damage by the flames and the rest was smoke damage.

"There were no smoke alarms in the house and if there had been, the couple would have been alerted to the fire sooner and the damage wouldn't have been as significant."

For a free Home Safety Check, which could include the fitting of smoke alarms, call 0800 555 815.

The incident happened in Didsbury Road, just after midnight.

Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service found the premises secure and had to force their way in to get to the fire.

Watch Manager Nick Hince said the fire was well alight when they arrived: "The fire was above a convenience store and was well developed. There was a lot of smoke, flames and heat.

"Firefighters did a good job in stopping it from spreading to the adjacent flat, which was a domestic property."

Three crews attended the scene and were in attendance for around four hours.

An investigation into the incident has revealed the cause as being an electrical fault caused by a block adaptor.

There are particular danger signs to look out for on all electrical items you have around your home. If you think something needs fixing or changing, do it straight away.

Firefighters were called to Siddington Avenue at around 2.40am after reports of a kitchen fire.

On arrival they found a fire involving residual oil in a pan of food, believed to have been caused when the pan was left unattended.

A 36-year-old resident was led to safety and treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to Stepping Hill Hospital as a precaution.

The incident has once again led to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service reminding people to think about safety when cooking.

60% of house fires start in the kitchen and yet most can be easily avoided.

Please remember any type of pan can catch fire - it only takes seconds for a fire to start, so never leave cooking unattended.

Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to Tyldesley Road at around 4.15am.

On arrival they found a street light had been damaged and an external gas supply ruptured as a result of the impact and the driver was being treated by paramedics.

Watch Manager Russ Condon said: "He had hit a street light and the corner of the house. If he had been another six feet he would have hit the window which would have caused a lot more damage."

Crews attempted to stem the the flow of gas while National Grid were en route and a number of properties on the street were evacuated while the gas leak was rectified.

The casualty, aged around 30, was taken to hospital on a spine board.

Firefighters made the scene safe and were in attendance for around an hour.

Anne Lomax's front room was destroyed by the fire at the semi-detached house in Hodge Clough Road, Sholver, earlier this week.

The 53-year-old had been burning a candle in memory of Whitney Houston and had gone to bed when she was woken by the sound of the smoke alarms.

Three crews from Oldham and Chadderton Fire Stations were called to the house at 2.40am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

The woman was already out of the house when the fire service arrived.

Watch Manager Rick Taylor said: "The blaze quickly spread from the curtains to the TV and electrics in the house.

"It caused thick black smoke but thankfully they had a working smoke alarm which gave them an early warning. We also managed to rescue three dogs from the property."

Anne Lomax said: "I had been sitting at the computer playing some music and saying a prayer for Whitney Houston. 

"I was a big fan and I was just devastated when she died so I thought I'd light a candle. I was listening to her music and my thoughts were with Whitney.

"I had a little tealight on the window sill. I thought I had blown it out when I went up to bed but the next thing I knew the smoke alarms were going off.

"I dread to think what would have happened if I didn't have smoke alarms. I could have died.

"Everyone has candles these days but you don't realise how dangerous they are. People should be careful with candles. I really thought I'd blown it out, I can't believe the damage it has caused. It's devastating."

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire Authority Councillor David Acton said: "Candle safety is so important. Never leave candles unattended, whether you're using them to decorate your home or as a religious symbol, they can be dangerous.

"Remember to extinguish candles before you go to sleep and make sure the candle is standing up straight and is in a proper holder so it can't fall over."

• Always place candles on a heat resistant surface. Nightlights and tealights can melt plastic surfaces, such as the top of the TV and the side of a bath tub
• Keep candles out of draughts, blowing curtains and sources of heat or direct sunlight
• Extinguish candles before they burn into holders
• Burn all candles well out of reach of children and pets
• Always put candles out before you move them

The Leigh to Trafford Centre service was traveling anti-clockwise along the motorway when the driver became aware of a problem and pulled onto the hard shoulder.

The driver led the passengers safely off the South Lancs Travel bus and onto the embankment before calling the fire service at 11.10am.

Crews from Irlam Fire Station used a hose reel and breathing apparatus to tackle the fire which involved an engine line and an exhaust system.

Nobody was injured during the incident and the passengers were provided with alternative transport by the bus company.

Called to the junction of Sedgley Park Road at 1.54pm yesterday (Tuesday, February 14) crews removed the roof of the car and rescued the woman.

A 54-year-old was taken by ambulance on a spine board to North Manchester General.

The boy was on Chadwick Dam in Stalybridge with his friend yesterday when ice gave way, plunging him up to his waist in the cold water. 

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service received a phone call at around 3.30pm yesterday from his panicked friend asking for help.

Two appliances from Stalybridge were sent to the scene as control Operator Sylvia O'Brien kept the young caller on the phone to provide reassurance. 

She also gave advice and instructions, ensuring other people did not endanger themselves.

When fire crews arrived they found the boy up to his waist, 20 metres from the bank. 

Watch Manager Nick Pine said: "He had been walking across the frozen water with his friend when he fell through in the middle. He was totally submerged at first but luckily he came up and managed to stand up, leaving him in the water up to his midriff and he had been trying for about 10 minutes to get out."

Firefighters used throw lines and an inflatable hose to reach the youngster and pulled him to safety.

He was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.

WM Pine added: "This boy had a really lucky escape, it could have been a very different outcome."

The incident is one of a series GMFRS has been called to over the past week and crews fear there may be more unless people heed safety advice.

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton, said: "With temperatures increasing following the recent cold snap, ice is thawing and is becoming an increasing danger as it thins out. You just don't know what weight it can take and people are finding out when it is too late.

"GMFRS has attended a number of incidents where a dog has fallen through - if the ice can't take the weight of a dog, it is certainly not going to take the weight of a person. Please don't take the risk. Stay off the ice and if you are walking your dog, keep them on a lead."

The Fire Service is now arranging visits to local schools to remind pupils about the dangers of playing on the ice - and hopes sharing news of yesterday's rescue may act as a further deterrent.

Other incidents fire crews have attended recently involving ice have included:

• A dog was rescued by crews after becoming stranded in the middle of a pond in Beefold Fisheries, Atherton, on Sunday.
• In another incident the same day, firefighters were called to Worsley after a dog fell through the ice on the canal.
• Another dog was rescued from a frozen lake last Tuesday (February 7) after falling through ice in Boggart Hole Clough, Blackley.
• On February 4 crews came to the rescue of two dogs - one in Queen's Park Lake, Heywood, and the other from the canal in Rochdale.

Two crews from Atherton and Leigh were called to a pond off Beefold Lane, close to Hesketh Fletcher Church of England High School at 11.59am on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

Watch Manager Ian Gardner said: "We were on our way to the 999 call and we were told by control that the owner had gone into the water to try and rescue her dog.  Thankfully, when we arrived she had got out of the freezing water because it was so cold and she was safe on the edge of the water.

"The dog, Barney, was clinging to the side of the hole he had fallen through in the middle of the pond, about 30 metres from the bank.  He was obviously distressed, exhausted and suffering the effects of the cold water temperature. 

"He had lost grip of the ice a number of times, becoming submerged under the water, fortunately resurfacing and clinging on again."

Crews comforted the owner and his daughter as crowds began to gather, explaining that because the dog was so far from the bank, crews would have to wait for the arrival of the water rescue unit before attempting a safe rescue.

It arrived within minutes and crews  immediately launched a hansa water rescue board.  Crews managed to smash their way through and across the ice to get to Barney, pulling the dog to safety at the edge of the pond, where he was reunited with his delighted owners.

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire Authority, Councillor David Acton said: "Icy water is dangerous.  Keep dogs on leads and away from frozen water and never go in and try to rescue pets, it can be very dangerous.

"Thankfully, because of the professionalism of our crews and despite the stressful situation, this time we had a happy outcome for Barney and his owners."