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

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

Members of the public have been urged to "keep windows and doors closed" and "avoid the area" as multiple ambulances, fire engines, incident response units and environmental protection units respond 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 continues. Video footage showed the contents of a lorry suddenly exploding and an orange-coloured cloud erupting onto the street.

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

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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 by to a school playing field, which is currently behind the police cordon along with a residential street.

A spokesperson for Greater Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “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.”

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