This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19364696#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Homes evacuated after Radcliffe explosion | Homes evacuated after Radcliffe explosion |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Up to 100 homes were evacuated after an explosion at an industrial building in the Radcliffe area of Greater Manchester. | |
| An explosion was heard when a gas main ignited in a fire in Schofield Street on Thursday night. | An explosion was heard when a gas main ignited in a fire in Schofield Street on Thursday night. |
| Fire crews worked with National Grid to safely isolate the gas pipe. | Fire crews worked with National Grid to safely isolate the gas pipe. |
| Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said at its height, 60 firefighters were at the disused building tackling the fire. | |
| At 08:00 BST, about 30 people were waiting to be allowed to return to their homes. | |
| A fire service spokesman said there were no reports of anyone missing or injured. | |
| He said: "There was a small explosion, enough to cause some damage to the building. | |
| "Crews are now damping down the scene and allowing residents to return to their homes wherever possible." | |
| One resident described it as a "massive explosion... just like a film". | |
| 'Bangs like fireworks' | |
| Ten fire engines were sent to the scene after Greater Manchester fire service was called at 21:46 BST on Thursday. | Ten fire engines were sent to the scene after Greater Manchester fire service was called at 21:46 BST on Thursday. |
| The fire was in a building measuring approximately 120m (394ft) by 80m (262ft) and was brought under control in the early hours of Friday. | |
| Hannah Ross, one of those evacuated from flats close to the fire, said: "I was at home with my boyfriend when we heard all these bangs going off like fireworks. | Hannah Ross, one of those evacuated from flats close to the fire, said: "I was at home with my boyfriend when we heard all these bangs going off like fireworks. |
| "We looked out at the factory behind the flats and saw a massive fire - it was biggest fire I've ever seen, covering the whole factory. | "We looked out at the factory behind the flats and saw a massive fire - it was biggest fire I've ever seen, covering the whole factory. |
| "We went downstairs and outside. People were talking about their cars getting hot because of the fire." | "We went downstairs and outside. People were talking about their cars getting hot because of the fire." |
| She said they were asked to leave the building by police. | She said they were asked to leave the building by police. |
| "Later there was a massive explosion - and everyone jumped, just like a film," said Ms Ross. | "Later there was a massive explosion - and everyone jumped, just like a film," said Ms Ross. |
| A number of gas cylinders were also removed from the site by fire crews. | A number of gas cylinders were also removed from the site by fire crews. |
| Eyewitness Simon Conway said: "I was out the back when I caught a weird, chemical smell. Then I saw smoke billowing out over the area. | Eyewitness Simon Conway said: "I was out the back when I caught a weird, chemical smell. Then I saw smoke billowing out over the area. |
| "I went round the corner and I saw the fire apparently down Bury Road not far from Spring Lane. It looked like it was an old factory on fire." | "I went round the corner and I saw the fire apparently down Bury Road not far from Spring Lane. It looked like it was an old factory on fire." |