A police investigation is underway
Boats can be moored on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal near the Crooke Hall Inn.
A man has died after a Christmas Day fire on a canal barge in Wigan, police have confirmed. Emergency services were called to the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, close to Crooke Marina.
Fire crews were alerted in the early hours and a police investigation is now underway. It has also been confirmed the victim’s assistance dog also perished in the blaze.
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers were called to reports of a fire on a canal boat at Crooke Hall Moorings, Standish at around 3.30am yesterday morning (December 25).
“Sadly, the body of a man and his service dog were found on the boat. Formal identification of the victim has yet to take place. A scene is currently in place with an investigation ongoing.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: : “Just after 3.30am yesterday morning (Friday 25th December), three fire engines from Wigan and Hindley, along with the Technical Response Unit from Leigh and Water Incident Unit from Eccles, attended an incident on Crooke Road, Wigan.
“Firefighters were in attendance for around thirteen hours.”
Crooke Hall Moorings are in Crooke village near the Crooke Hall Inn. The area is on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the location has both a private marina for 90 boats and the canal side pub with visitor moorings.
The village is at a scenic spot on the bend of the River Douglas, and about three miles from Wigan town centre.