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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Homes evacuated after Radcliffe explosion | Homes evacuated after Radcliffe explosion |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| About 100 homes had to be evacuated after a large fire and explosion at a disused industrial building in Greater Manchester. | |
| Fire crews were called at 21:45 BST on Thursday after reports of smoke in Bury Road, Radcliffe. | |
| During the fire's early stages, an explosion was reported after a gas main ignited and caused part of the building to collapse. | |
| Residents in about 20 properties are still waiting to return to their homes. | |
| Fire crews worked with National Grid to safely isolate the gas pipe. | Fire crews worked with National Grid to safely isolate the gas pipe. |
| Sixty firefighters were dealing with the disused factory fire at its height. | |
| Residents were relocated to an emergency rest centre set up by police and Bury Council. | |
| A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said there had been no reports of anyone being missing or injured. | |
| He said: "There was a small explosion, enough to cause some damage to the building. | 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." | "Crews are now damping down the scene and allowing residents to return to their homes wherever possible." |
| The residents waiting to return to their homes are from properties directly facing the fire, with fire crews expected to remain at the scene until Friday night. | |
| One witness described it as a "massive explosion... just like a film". | |
| 'Massive explosion' | |
| The fire in the building measuring about 120m (400ft) by 80m (250ft) was brought under control in the early hours of Friday. | |
| Hannah Ross, one of those evacuated from flats nearby, 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. |
| Greater Manchester Police said a joint fire service and police investigation into the cause of the fire was taking place. | |