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Man hurt in double gas explosion Man hurt in double gas explosion
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been taken to hospital with burns after two gas explosions in south Manchester. A man is being treated in hospital for burns after two gas explosions at an old hospital site in south Manchester.
The victim, thought to be aged about 40, suffered injuries to his face, hand and back in the blast at the former Withington Hospital site. The victim, thought to be aged about 40, suffered injuries to his face, hand and back in a blast at the former Withington Hospital.
An hour later there was a second explosion, which is believed to have been caused by the first.An hour later there was a second explosion, which is believed to have been caused by the first.
The site has been evacuated and more buildings may be cleared by the emergency services.The site has been evacuated and more buildings may be cleared by the emergency services.
An investigation is under way into the cause of the blasts but it is thought a gas main may have been damaged during building work.
'Like a bomb'
One woman who works in a nearby building said: "We just heard a huge bang, a huge noise like a bomb going off - the whole building shook."
Specialist teams from Greater Manchester Fire Service are searching the area to ensure everyone is accounted for.
Pete Stephenson, of the urban search and rescue team, said it would be sending in sniffer dogs to one building which had partially collapsed.
"If we have indications from the search dogs, we can carry on and use the specialist search equipment we have which is acoustic listening devices and specialist cameras," he said.
People described hearing a noise "like a bomb"
Three buildings which are in use were evacuated, said a spokesman for the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM).Three buildings which are in use were evacuated, said a spokesman for the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM).
All outpatient appointments have been cancelled for the rest of the afternoon NHS Trust spokesman
Most of the site, which is the old section of the hospital, is currently being turned into apartments.Most of the site, which is the old section of the hospital, is currently being turned into apartments.
A statement from the trust said Buccleugh Lodge, the Brian Hore Unit and the hospital Laundry Services building had been evacuated.A statement from the trust said Buccleugh Lodge, the Brian Hore Unit and the hospital Laundry Services building had been evacuated.
"Withington Community Hospital and the Disablement Services Centre have not been evacuated at present. Police are monitoring the situation," said a spokesman."Withington Community Hospital and the Disablement Services Centre have not been evacuated at present. Police are monitoring the situation," said a spokesman.
"All outpatient appointments have been cancelled for the rest of the afternoon."All outpatient appointments have been cancelled for the rest of the afternoon.
"We expect services to resume as normal from tomorrow, but a decision on this will be made in conjunction with other emergency services.""We expect services to resume as normal from tomorrow, but a decision on this will be made in conjunction with other emergency services."
Schools evacuatedSchools evacuated
Nell Lane and Elisabeth Slinger Road are closed to traffic and motorists are advised to avoid the area.Nell Lane and Elisabeth Slinger Road are closed to traffic and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Greater Manchester Police said all of the emergency services had sent "substantial resources" to the scene.Greater Manchester Police said all of the emergency services had sent "substantial resources" to the scene.
The man was taken to the trust's A&E department and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.The man was taken to the trust's A&E department and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The nearby Birches special school was evacuated and pupils were taken to the Lancasterian school. The nearby Birches special school, Lancasterian school and Cavendish Road Primary School were evacuated.
Manchester City Council said both sets of pupils were being sent home as a precautionary measure. Manchester City Council said all pupils were being sent home as a precautionary measure.