Police have declared a chemical incident after a tanker exploded – sparking a huge emergency response from teams in hazmat suits.
Members of the public have been urged to “keep windows and doors closed” and “avoid the area” as multiple ambulances, fire engines, incident response units and environmental protection units respond to the incident. Emergency services raced to the scene in Oldham around 3.15pm this afternoon, with police cordons shutting a major road both ways this evening as a clean-up operation continues. Video footage showed the contents of a lorry suddenly exploding, with a yellow-coloured cloud erupting onto the street.
One resident told the Manchester Evening News that she saw “gas go up” in the moments that followed the initial explosion.
Specialist teams were sent to bring the suspected leak under control using equipment and PPE.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 3.15pm five fire engines from Ashton, Heywood, Mossley, Rochdale, Bury fire stations plus the incident command unit from Rochdale fire station attended a suspected chemical incident on West End Street, Oldham.
“Firefighters are working alongside partners to make the area safe with road closures in place. The public are asked to avoid the area at this time and keep windows and doors closed if nearby.”
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