Tram and train services are being disrupted after a fire broke out with 'repeatedly loud bangs' near to a Metrolink stop. All services running through Cornbrook, on the border of Manchester and Trafford near Castlefield, have been suspended after the fire involving tyres and a 'highly flammable' gas broke out this evening (August 14).
Train services through the area, between Warrington Central and Manchester Oxford Road, are also affected. Dozens of 999 calls were made as the blaze broke out, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) says.
An eyewitness described the panic among nearby residents as they saw and heard the fire break out at around 8pm. He said: "When the fire started there were repeatedly loud bangs and the whole neighbourhood were on their balconies worried about what it was."
The fire has since been tackled, but representatives from GMFRS, police and transport bosses are continuing to monitor the scene. Tram and train services will resume in the area when it is considered safe.
A spokesperson for GMFRS said: "Around 8.10pm this evening, Sunday August 14, North West Fire Control received the first of dozens of 999 calls reporting the outbreak of a fire on land adjacent to Cornbrook Metrolink station in Manchester. Firefighters responding found a quantity of rubbish including tyres alight on disused land.
"Some of the items on fire were cylinders of Acetylene, a highly flammable odourless gas. These cylinders are within 10m of both the Metrolink track and the national railway track so as a precaution all tram and train traffic has been halted until this incident is resolved.
"As it stands the fire has now been extinguished and firefighters have begun to leave the incident, but a multi-agency team including firefighters, police officers and representatives of TFGM and Network Rail will remain in place for the next few hours to monitor the cooling of the chemical containers and reopen the network once it is safe to do so. There have been no injuries at this incident."
Metrolink bosses confirmed the suspension of services at around 9.15pm, with trams ending their routes at stops either side of Cornbrook. A spokesperson for Metrolink wrote on Twitter: "Severe disruption on the Metrolink network this evening.
"Due to a fire near to Cornbrook, all lines are suspended through this stop. Trams will terminate at stops either side of Cornbrook until further notice."
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