Bury explosion - live: School evacuated after blast rips through nearby house as woman seriously injured
Neighbours in Fishpool, Greater Manchester, forced to flee homes as fire crews tackle flames
A house was destroyed in an explosion that sparked a fire, leaving a woman in her 70s seriously injured and needing hospital treatment.
A nearby primary school in Greater Manchester was evacuated after the suspected gas explosion.
Children and staff at St Luke’s Church of England Primary School in Fishpool in Bury left the school after the blast, which was just yards away, according to Bury Council’s deputy leader, Tamoor Tariq.
Terraced homes on either side of the wrecked house were also damaged, and neighbours were forced to flee, taking shelter with families or friends elsewhere.
“I understand everyone has been taken into a place of safety and emergency services are doing all possible to deal with this awful situation,” Mr Tariq wrote on social media.
He added: “The house directly affected is in an extremely bad state following the explosion [and] the house was destroyed by the strong flames from the fire.”
Householders told to keep doors and windows closed
Fire chiefs advised residents to keep their windows and doors closed and avoid the scene while crews carried out their work following the blast.
Emergency services rush to scene
A number of fire crews rushed to the area, in Nelson Street, Bury, as well as other emergency services.
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