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Blaze forces 500 families to flee | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hundreds of families were forced to spend the night in temporary accommodation when a fire broke out near a flammable acetylene cylinder. | |
About 500 homes in Bury, Greater Manchester, were evacuated at 2100 GMT when fire crews were called to a garage on Alma Street in Radcliffe on Monday. | |
Eighty-nine people were housed in Radcliffe Civic Hall for the night. Six hours earlier, homes and firms in Stockport also had to be evacuated following a similar incident. | |
Acetylene cylinders are used in welding operations and can explode without warning if they come into close proximity with fire. | Acetylene cylinders are used in welding operations and can explode without warning if they come into close proximity with fire. |
Exclusion zone | Exclusion zone |
A 200m safety zone has been cordoned off around the two separate areas and people will not be allowed back to their properties for at least 24 hours. | A 200m safety zone has been cordoned off around the two separate areas and people will not be allowed back to their properties for at least 24 hours. |
St Mary's Roman Catholic School has been closed as a result of the exclusion zone in Radcliffe. | St Mary's Roman Catholic School has been closed as a result of the exclusion zone in Radcliffe. |
Around 30 families and 20 businesses were affected by the blaze on Canal Street, Stockport, which broke out around 1500 GMT on Monday. | Around 30 families and 20 businesses were affected by the blaze on Canal Street, Stockport, which broke out around 1500 GMT on Monday. |
Paul Duggan, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, said: "Both fires were quickly put out but the volatile nature of acetylene meant that the cylinders needed to be cooled down over a 24-hour period. | Paul Duggan, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, said: "Both fires were quickly put out but the volatile nature of acetylene meant that the cylinders needed to be cooled down over a 24-hour period. |
"Once the fires were extinguished firefighters had to attach hoses which would pour a continuous flow of water onto the tanks and then retreat to a safe distance to monitor the operation over the next 24 hours." | "Once the fires were extinguished firefighters had to attach hoses which would pour a continuous flow of water onto the tanks and then retreat to a safe distance to monitor the operation over the next 24 hours." |