Police have declared a chemical incident after a tanker exploded – sparking a huge emergency response from teams in hazmat suits.
Multiple ambulances, fire engines, incident response units and environmental protection units joined the efforts, as members of the public were urged to “keep windows and doors closed” and “avoid the area”. Emergency services raced to the scene in Oldham around 3.15pm this afternoon, with police cordons shutting a major road both ways. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 3.15pm five fire engines from Ashton, Heywood, Mossley, Rochdale, Bury fire stations plus the incident command unit from Rochdale fire station attended a suspected chemical incident on West End Street, Oldham.
“Firefighters are working alongside partners to make the area safe with road closures in place. The public are asked to avoid the area at this time and keep windows and doors closed if nearby.”
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