Oldham 'chemical incident' as teams in hazmat suits rush to scene after tanker explodes

Police declared a chemical incident after a tanker exploded in the street - sparking a huge emergency response from teams in hazmat suits.

Members of the public were urged to "keep windows and doors closed" and "avoid the area" as multiple ambulances, fire engines, incident response units and environmental protection units responded to the incident. raced to the scene in around 3.15pm this afternoon, withcordons closing a major road both ways this evening as a clean-up operation continued. Video footage showed the contents of a lorry suddenly exploding and an orange-coloured cloud erupting into the street.

One resident told the that she saw "gas go up" in the moments that followed the initial explosion.

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Another witness said: "When I opened the door to pick my children up I’ve seen the smoke, police, and ambulances. They acted quickly."

Firefighters at the scene said the incident unfolded after a "strong acid" was poured into a lorry from a site that deals with cleaning metals, creating a "vapour cloud" which later dissipated.

Specialist teams were sent to bring the suspected leak under control using equipment and PPE.

Part of the emergency response included blocking drains and containing the spillage to avoid contamination.

The incident unfolded close to a school playing field, which was placed behind the police cordon along with a residential street.

In an update around 8pm, Greater Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that the incident had been "scaled down" and said there was "no wider threat to the public."

Firefighters will remain at the scene overnight as work to decontaminate the area continues.

A spokesperson for 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 chemical and gas leak from an HGV on West End Street, Oldham.

"Firefighters wearing PPE and using specialist equipment worked alongside partners to make the vehicle and surrounding area safe with some nearby businesses and buildings evacuated while this took place.

"The incident has now been scaled down with no wider threat to the public while crews work with partners to decontaminate the affected area so businesses can return to the site. GMFRS are likely to remain in attendance overnight while this work takes place."

An earlier statement read: “At around 3.15pm five fire engines from , , Mossley, , 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.”