HOMES ARE EVACUATED IN CAR-BLAST DRAMA
SHOCKED RESIDENTS LED TO SAFETY AFTER ‘ENORMOUS BANG’
POLICE were continuing to investigate the cause of a car explosion.
Neighbours were evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night following the blast on Crowther Avenue in Ordsall, Salford.
The bomb squad, firefighters and police officers were called to the address shortly after 11pm on Monday.
A police cordon was placed around the grey vehicle, thought to be a BMW, which could be seen with a hole blown through the roof.
Bomb disposal officers in protective gear were at the scene checking over the vehicle last night.
Around 10 to 20 homes nearby to the car were evacuated as a precaution.
Residents spent the evening in a Travelodge, but have since returned to their homes. No one was injured and police have stressed there is no further threat to the wider public.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the incident was not terrorrelated. Officers said it is not yet clear what caused the blast and are continuing to carry out checks.
Witnesses in the area described hearing a loud bang.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I heard an enormous bang, I thought the roof had come off.
“I ran outside to find the car smoking, I ran over to see if there was anybody injured.
“There was a large hole in the roof, something had exploded.”
Sheilagh Ennis, 85, told the M.E.N.: “I was in bed and I heard a very, very loud bang at around five past 11. I looked out of the window and I could see smoke. I got back into bed and then someone was banging on my door. It was the police and they said ‘come on, love. You’ve got to get out.’
“They took me and all the others to the Travelodge down the road. They gave us a cup of tea and then they brought us back around 2.40am.
“They were very nice. The police were messing about with the car and the bomb disposal unit were here.
“No one knows who the car belongs to. I’ve lived in Ordsall for years and this kind of thing is very unusual.”
A statement released by GMP said: “Shortly after 11pm on Monday, December 30, 2019, police were called to reports of a car explosion on Crowther Avenue in Salford.
“Officers attended and a cordon was put in place as enquiries were carried out. Approximately 10 to 20 houses were evacuated as a precaution. However all occupants have now returned to their houses.
“Police are keen to stress that it is believed there is no further threat to the wider public.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 11.08pm on December 30. Crews were called to a car fire on Crowther Avenue, in Ordsall.
“One pump from Salford attended. Officers were at the scene for approximately three hours.”