Coronation Street is NOT on fire: Soap storyline sparks 999 calls

A Coronation Street storyline involving a fire looked so realistic that concerned locals thought the soap's set was going up in flames Credit: PA/@Steryder74

A Coronation Street storyline featuring a fire stunt sparked emergency calls in Manchester yesterday evening.

Concerned locals saw smoke fill the skies and thought the ITV soap's set was going up in flames.

A number of residents near Manchester's Media City contacted the fire brigade and posted images of the scene on Twitter.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service sent out three fire engines to the scene, before clarifying the situation on Twitter:

Scenes from the storyline, which feature a blaze at Victoria Court flats, will be broadcast in May.

Corrie's last big fire storyline featured the famous Rovers Return going up in flames in 2013.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said:

It is thought the fire brigade had been told in advance about the mock blaze.