Moment 'chemical' seen exploding out of tanker before emergency incident declared in Oldham
Emergency services raced to the scene with cordons put in place
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.
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Multiple ambulances, fire engines, incident response units and environmental protection units were seen in attendance as members of the public were urged to 'keep windows and doors closed' and 'avoid the area'.
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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.
It's understood the suspected leak involved the vehicle and that specialist teams were sent to bring it under control using equipment and PPE.
Greater Manchester Police said they were in attendance to assist with ongoing road closures, with the North West Ambulance Service sending response vehicles, HART, a duty officer and two operational commanders to the incident.
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.”
Further details about the incident have not yet been confirmed. Oil Recoveries have been approached for a statement.
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