Residents evacuated as huge blaze breaks out in factory
Around 100 homes were evacuated after a gas explosion caused a blaze at a disused factory on Bury Road in Radcliffe. Dozens of families were forced to spend the night at a local community centre.
Around 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines were called to the scene.
There were no casualties reported in the blast but windows were shattered in surrounding buildings due to the intense heat at the scene.
Zoe Joynson, who was evacuated from her home said: “It was like fireworks were going off. It’s been a bit scary, but we’re all fine. My 13-year-old daughter Katie was babysitting in one of the flats nearby, but she managed to carry the children downstairs in her arms. Thankfully they were all okay.”
Another witness, Jennifer Armour, said: “All we could see was the smoke and lights flashing.”
Station Manager Paul Duggan said: “We were faced with a very busy scene with a rapidly developing fire. It was difficult as there was limited access to the site and there were a large number of houses that were very close. The heat was such that it cracked windows in the flats opposite. All the residents really worked with us to make sure it was resolved safely.”
A joint is now being carried out by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Explosion caused by copper cable thieves
An explosion in a Castleford street that damaged 6 homes may have been caused when thieves attempted to steal copper cable from overhead power lines.
Firefighters were called at around 1.30am on Friday to several small fires in homes on Rhodes Street. On discovering the probable cause of the fire, around 30 people were evacuated only a few minutes before a gas explosion demolished walls and roofs of surrounding homes.
Two firefighters were injured in the explosion.
A spokesman for CE Electric and Northern Gas Networks said: “We can confirm that there was an incident of metal theft from CE Electric UK’s overhead line network in the early hours of yesterday morning. Electricity supplies to 63 properties and gas supplies to 55 properties have been interrupted as a safety precaution in the area of Hightown, Castleford. An explosion has also been reported and the cause of this subsequent incident is under investigation. Engineers from CE Electric UK and Northern Gas Networks are on site working with the police and fire to ensure the area is made safe and we are endeavouring to restore supplies as soon as possible. Copper theft continues to blight our network and, despite the recent fatality in Leeds, these incidents continue to occur at an average of four every day. We cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to tamper with electrical equipment on the network. We are pleading with these thieves to think about the consequences of their actions and how much they are personally risking for such a small return.”
A full investigation into the exact cause of the incident is now being carried out.
Shell UK admits health and safety breaches after Norfolk gas explosion
Shell UK has pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches which lead to an explosion in 2008 at the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk. The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive brought the joint prosecution.
The company admitted to breaching 2 Health and Safety Regulations and 5 areas of environmental legislation. No one was injured in the accident.
The company will be sentenced on 16th June at Norfolk Crown Court.
Lambeth gas explosion
A building has collapsed after a gas explosion on Oakden Street in Lambeth, London.
Police were called to the building at around 6.30pm on Saturday 22nd January.
Wimbledon Fire station said that there was no fire at the site and no casualties have been reported.
Gas Explosion in Stretford flat
A block of flats in Stretford were evacuated after a gas explosion at around 8.30am on Sunday 19th December. The blast caused damage to the communal area of the building but no one was injured.
The incident is being investigated by the police and National Grid to establish the cause of the explosion.