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Oldham explosion: Search after blast damages homes Oldham explosion: House 'completely flattened'
(40 minutes later)
One person has been taken to hospital with 80% burns following a large blast in the Shaw area of Oldham, the North West Ambulance Service has said. People remain unaccounted for after a large explosion "completely flattened" a house in the Shaw area of Oldham, firefighters have said.
Greater Manchester Police said the explosion happened in Buckley Street shortly after 11:15 BST. Greater Manchester Fire Service said a search was under way for people in four terraced houses damaged by the blast in Buckley Street.
Police, fire and ambulance services are at the scene and there were "possibly people trapped", Greater Manchester Fire Service said. One person has been taken to hospital with 80% burns.
Police and the fire service said it was a suspected gas explosion. Greater Manchester Police said the suspected gas explosion happened shortly after 11:15 BST.
A fire service listening helicopter is at the scene trying to detect if people are trapped in the rubble. A fire service helicopter with listening equipment is at the scene trying to detect if people are trapped in the rubble.
The ambulance service said the burns victim had been taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester. North West Ambulance Service said the burns victim had been taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.
The blast is believed to have damaged two terraced houses.
Shaw ward councillor Mark Alcock, who lives a quarter of a mile away, described the scene as "utter carnage".
'Loudest bang''Loudest bang'
Shaw ward councillor Mark Alcock, who lives a quarter of a mile away, described the scene as "utter carnage".
"An end terrace house has been completely flattened and properties up to 800m away have had their windows blown in," he said."An end terrace house has been completely flattened and properties up to 800m away have had their windows blown in," he said.
"It's a real mess… we understand there are people trapped in other properties," he added."It's a real mess… we understand there are people trapped in other properties," he added.
Peter Travis, who works nearby, said: "I heard the loudest bang you could ever hear, then I could see bits of slate going through the air like ticker tape.Peter Travis, who works nearby, said: "I heard the loudest bang you could ever hear, then I could see bits of slate going through the air like ticker tape.
"Bits of slate were landing near us about 250 metres away."Bits of slate were landing near us about 250 metres away.
"I could then hear alarms going off and then a silence, it was absolutely frightening.""I could then hear alarms going off and then a silence, it was absolutely frightening."
Other eye-witnesses half a mile away reported their homes were shaken by the explosion. Other residents half a mile away reported their homes were shaken by the explosion.
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