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A Greater Manchester primary school has been evacuated after a suspected gas explosion nearby, it’s been reported.
Children and staff at St Luke’s Church of England Primary School in Fishpool in Bury had left the school after the blast “just yards away”, according to Bury Council’s deputy leader Tamoor Tariq.
A woman in her 70s has been taken to hospital with serious injuries, Greater Manchester Police say.
“I understand everyone has been taken into a place of safety and emergency services are doing all possible to deal with this awful situation,” Mr Tariq wrote on social media.
He added: “The house directly affected is in an extremely bad state following the explosion [and] the house was destroyed by the strong flames from the fire.”
Flames tear through house
Footage showed flames ripping through the house.
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 14:30
Fire seen coming from house roof
The explosion at a house in Nelson Street started a fire.
Rhys Owen, who lives on nearby Brierley Street, told the Bury Times: “I heard a helicopter flying over about 11am and I could see a house on fire rising from the roof.
“I went round and there was lots of police and fire vehicles, an ambulance and a cordon in place.”
He added that someone he knew nearer to the incident heard a bang.
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Jane Dalton28 February 2024 14:19
Council officials at the scene
Bury council officials went to the scene, and police went door-to-door to advise people to leave their homes if possible.
Emergency crews were there for at least two hours after the explosion, around 11am.
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 14:02
Smoke fills air
Clouds of smoke filling the air around nearby streets, and householders were advised to keep windows closed.
The explostion was described by some as a gas explosion, but emergency services have not confirmed that, and the cause is still unknown.
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 14:02
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 13:57
School closes after fire hits power supply
St Luke’s primary school decided to get pupils out because conditions were deteriorating where the fire affected electricity supplies to the school, said councillor Tamoor Tariq.
Parents had been told, he said.
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 13:56
Police promise to alert neighbours
Greater Manchester Police said other neighbours would be told if they needed to do anything else.
A spokesperson told The Independent: “Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at a property on Nelson Street in the Fishpool area of Bury.
“At this stage, a woman in her 70s has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. A 200m cordon is in place around the property and neighbouring homes.
“Local residents and the community will be informed if they need to take any further action.”
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 13:51
Neighbouring homes damaged
Both properties next to the house where the explosion happened were damaged, said Bury Council’s deputy leader, Tamoor Tariq.
A cordon is in place around the affected property and neighbouring homes.
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 13:48
Nearby neighbours take shelter
People affected took shelter with neighbours, family or friends, according to Bury Council’s deputy leader Tamoor Tariq.
No one died in the blast but the house was in an extremely bad state, he said.
Jane Dalton28 February 2024 13:41
