A man is in a ‘critical but stable condition’ following reports that a car ‘exploded’ in Rochdale. At around 10am this morning (April 30) police, fire crews and an air ambulance were called to the scene on Ladyhouse Close in Milnrow.
Residents reported hearing a ‘loud bang’ which shook a number of houses before seeing plumes of thick smoke. They then heard ‘extra mini explosions’ coming from the fire.
One man was injured during the incident and taken to hospital. He is currently in a ‘critical but stable condition, GMP have said.
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Members of the public were advised to avoid the area on Saturday afternoon and enquiries are ongoing.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , one resident said they live around the corner from the scene and were awoken by a ‘loud bang’.
“We heard a loud bang and it shook the house so I got up and checked if my family were okay as it sounded like it came from inside the house,” she said.
“Thankfully everyone was fine but my mum then noticed smoke coming from the houses behind so we knew then it must have been an explosion. The smoke was quite thick and there were some extra mini explosions which sounded like glass breaking coming from the fire.
“We couldn’t see from our house what had exploded or caught fire but knew it was one of the houses that had been affected. Then there were two air ambulances and more emergency services arriving.”
Another resident said that they heard an explosion, looked outside and saw that a car ‘was on fire’.
“We heard an explosion, looked outside and a car was on fire. After a short while the fire had managed to catch the side of the house and so the side of the house was on fire too.”
It is not known what caused the fire and enquiries are ongoing.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 10am today (Saturday 30 April 2022), we were called by the ambulance service responding to an incident on Ladyhouse Close, Milnrow.
“Officers attended and found a vehicle fire and injured man. The man was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “At approximately 9.55am on Saturday, 30th April firefighters were called to reports of a vehicle fire on Ladyhouse Close, in Milnrow.
“One fire engine from Rochdale fire station quickly attended the scene. The fire involved one car, as well as fencing and plastic guttering of a neighbouring property. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel and other specialist equipment to extinguish the fire.
“Fire crews were in attendance for approximately two hour hours and 30 minutes.”
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