STORM Barney battered Trafford last night.

A large tree fell onto a house on Goodwood Avenue, Sale, causing part of the roof to collapse into the house and a fire engine responded at 9.25pm to make the area safe.

Taaliah Nazar, aged 39, of Buckfast Road in Sale, said: "I was visiting my sister for the evening and the tree was directly opposite her lounge window.

“The noise was deafening.

“We were shocked to see the tree had fallen on to the roof of the house opposite and the fire brigade there cordoning the area off.

“It’s a good job it was quite late as it's a busy walkway area and someone could have been badly hurt.

“My niece was really scared and worried about the tree outside her bedroom window after seeing such a huge one ripped out the ground.”

Councillor David Acton, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “When there are strong winds you can take precautions by removing large items such as gazebos and climbing frames from outdoors or secure them down.

“Avoid going out in your car unless you really have to and if you do, take extra care and plan your journey ahead.

“Please only call 999 in an emergency – there may be other services you can call, for example, your local council, highways agency, local builders, or TV engineers.”

A spokesperson for Irwell Valley Housing Association, which owns the property, said: "Irwell Valley’s neigbourhood support officers, who carry out daily morning inspections, were aware of the incident. 
"We have not been contacted by any residents but our repairs and maintenance team and groundwork maintenance contractors were immediately on site."