Emergency services are at the scene of an 'incident' in Greater Manchester this afternoon (Wednesday, April 23). West End Street and Chadderton Way are both shut to traffic in Oldham.
People living nearby are being urged to keep doors and windows closed.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Emergency Services are currently responding to an incident on West End Street in Oldham The public are advised to avoid the area and to keep windows and doors closed if nearby."
Inrix, the traffic data company, said: "Chadderton Way in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to accident between A627 Oldham Way and A671 Rochdale Road. West End Street is also closed."
Emergency services have been contacted for comment.
We will bring you further updates as they become available.
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Key Events
Incident scaled down as GMFRS issue updated statement
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 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.”
"There is no longer any wider risk to the public" says fire service
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued the below update:
"We saw the smoke... then emergency services flooded the area"
Residents close to the scene are speaking of the moment emergency crews descended on the area earlier today.
Residents saw 'yellow coloured smoke'
A spokesperson for GMFRS confirmed that specialist scientists from Bureau Veritas are at the scene to assist with the cleanup.
Several residents living nearby recalled seeing yellow or orange coloured smoke at around 15.15.
Teams in hazmat suits hose scene down
Specialist teams in hazmat suits can be seen hosing down the scene this afternoon
Major emergency incident after acid in truck explodes into 'vapour cloud'
A member of GMFRS personnel said at the scene: "There was a strong acid poured into a truck from a site that deals with cleaning metals. It’s reacted with the truck and created a vapour cloud which has now dissipated.
“We are now dealing with the cleanup, crews are blocking drains and containing spills.
“There is no ongoing risk to the public or to the environment.”
Cordon in place beside school playing field
The area within the cordon has a school playing field on one side and a residential area on the other, on West End Street, our reporter says.
Ambulance vehicles lining residential road
Ambulance vehicles have been seen lining the residential road amid the response this evening and are within the road closure.
Moment 'chemical' seen exploding out of tanker before emergency incident declared in Oldham
Video footage has captured the moment a 'chemical' was seen exploding out of a tanker before an emergency incident was declared in Oldham on Wednesday (April 23).
Emergency services raced to the scene with cordons put in place on West End Street and Chadderton Way, which were shut both ways amid the response.
Video clips shared with the M.E.N showed an orange substance pouring out of a HGV in a nearby car park as emergency services responded at around 3.15pm.
Emergency workers at scene in protective gear
Fire crews, police and specialist teams remain on scene in protective gear. A yellow tent has also been set up within the cordon.
WATCH: Video shows moment chemical seen shooting out of HGV before emergency incident declared
A video shows moment chemical was seen shooting out of HGV before emergency incident was declared in Oldham today.
A chemical incident is ongoing this evening, with a major response at the scene and roads taped off.
Reporter at the scene
Our reporter Kit is now at the scene.
A large cordon is in place with multiple incident response units and ambulances in attendance.
Warning for residents to keep windows and doors closed
The fire service has shared the below update this afternoon:
Pictures from the scene as area cordoned off
A large multi-agency response remains at the scene this evening trying to bring the chemical spillage under control.
Multiple road closures remain in place with the public asked to avoid the area.
"Chemical leak from HGV"
It's understood the large scene is in place this evening following a large chemical leak from a HGV.
Emergency crews are reportedly trying to get the incident under control using specialist equipment and PPE.
NWAS and GMP also in attendance
NWAS and GMP are currently on the scene assisting with road closures and supporting the fire service response to the incident.
An ambulance, a response vehicle, HART, a duty officer and two operational commanders are at the scene.
We are waiting on further details from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Fire crews called to 'suspected chemical incident' as public urged to avoid area
Fire crews have been called to a suspected chemical incident this afternoon.
Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area.
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.”
Road closed in both directions
Chadderton Way is currently closed in both directions. West End Street is also taped off this afternoon.
There is queueing traffic due to the incident between A627 Oldham Way and A671 Rochdale Road.
