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Man hurt in double gas explosion | Man hurt in double gas explosion |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man is being treated in hospital for burns after two gas explosions at a former hospital in south Manchester. | |
The victim, thought to be aged about 40, suffered injuries to his face, hand and back in a blast at the Withington Hospital site. | |
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. | 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' | '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." | 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. | 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. | Pete Stephenson, of the urban search and rescue team, said it would be sending in sniffer dogs to one building which had partially collapsed. |
People described hearing a noise "like a bomb" | People described hearing a noise "like a bomb" |
"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. | |
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). |
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 building had been evacuated. | |
"All outpatient appointments have been cancelled for the rest of the afternoon," said a spokesman. | |
"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." |
Station 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. |
Emergency services were called to the scene | |
West Didsbury Police Station was also evacuated as a precaution, although officers have since returned to the building. | |
Ch Insp Mark Gibby said emergency services worked very hard to make the area safe. | |
"We appreciate there has been disruption to the lives of members of the public, however we had to put their safety first," he added. | |
"As a precaution, we are asking any homeowners still inside the police cordon to remain indoors and stay away from windows." | |
The injured 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, Lancasterian school and Cavendish Road Primary School were evacuated. | The nearby Birches special school, Lancasterian school and Cavendish Road Primary School were evacuated. |
Manchester City Council said all pupils were being sent home as a precautionary measure. | Manchester City Council said all pupils were being sent home as a precautionary measure. |