'People Trapped' After Salford Gas Blast

[Gman496]

Three homes have collapsed after a gas explosion in Salford, with a number of people believed to be trapped in the rubble.

The blast happened just after 7am (Picture: Key 103 News in Manchester)


A woman aged in her 70s has been rescued from the row of house on Merlin Road in Irlam and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Five others - two adults and three children - all described as walking wounded have been taken to Hope Hospital for treatment.

Derek Cartwright from the North West Ambulance Service said two people remain unaccounted for.

"Emergency services are using search dogs to ensure everyone has been found," he told Sky News.

Five fire engines are at the scene, as is a specialist hazard area response team.

Mr Cartwright added: "There is always a risk of further explosions when there has been something like this, which we suspect is gas."

"We are also concerned with other people in the cordoned-off area who may become unwell."

"It's a very active and dynamic environment at the moment."

Tony Lander from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue told Sky News: "It is quite a dangerous situation.

"The crews are making the scene safe, isolating the gas supply, extinguishing the fire, as well as searching through the debris to find any more people."

A number of roads - including Silver Street, Merlin Road, Morrillion Road and Cutnook Lane - have been closed off by police.

Local resident Sharon Watts told Sky News when she arrived at the scene she saw "three houses that were completely blown apart".

More to follow...

 

[Gman496]

Seven rescued from Salford gas blast site

Seven people have been rescued from the debris of a suspected gas explosion in Greater Manchester - but it is thought other people remain trapped.

Search and rescue teams are combing the area around Merlin Road and Silver Street in Irlam, Salford.

One house has been completely destroyed and up to four others have been badly damaged in the blast, which happened at about 0700 GMT.

One senior firefighter told BBC News he heard the blast six miles away.

Greater Manchester Fire Service said a sniffer dog had indicated that more people could be trapped in the rubble.

Earlier, five adults and two children were rescued by fire crews.


'Bad burns'

A 76-year-old woman was badly injured with 30% burns and has been taken to Wythenshawe Hospital.

Five others - including the two children - have been taken to Salford Royal Hospital and are described as "walking wounded" by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

"[They were in] a pretty bad condition, some had quite bad burns," fire service spokesman Tony Lander said.

"I heard an explosion from my own home at ten past seven this morning and I live in Urmston, approximately five or six miles away.

Emergency services attend the scene of a gas
explosion in Salford


"About 10 minutes later control rang to say we had a report of a gas explosion in Irlam."

BBC reporter Kevin Fitzpatrick told Breakfast News roof tiles had been blown off and car windows smashed by the force of the blast.

One man who lives nearby told the BBC: "It's like a bomb's gone off. All the roofs have gone, the houses are on the floor and there's people in panic.

"Four houses are affected but just the one that has caused the explosion."

He said there was "debris everywhere" and he had seen a number of people crying in the street.

Up to 50 firefighters were sent to the scene after the blast, which neighbours reported as a gas explosion.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

...it's a close-knit area so people have been going to relatives and friends”

End Quote Barbara Holgate Resident

Mr Lander said there was a strong smell of gas in the air.

Stephanie Van Rosse, a spokeswoman for National Grid, said they had been asked to switch off the gas supply for the whole of Merlin Street, but added it was too early to discuss the cause of the blast.

"Explosions like this are rare but, yes, we have dealt with them. And, you know, we are gas emergency professionals and this is what we are trained to be able to deal with," she said.

Greater Manchester Police are also at the scene and have closed Silver Street, Merlin Road, Morrillion Road, Cutnook Lane and a number of other routes.

A number of people have been evacuated from surrounding homes and sent to Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School, which was has been closed to pupils.

Barbara Holgate had just returned home from working a night shift at Tesco when she heard the explosion.

"...it's a close-knit area so people have been going to relatives and friends. I've invited somebody in for coffee," she said.

"They told most people to go inside. There's a big smell of gas."

 

[mamamia]

Oh Dear, lets hope they all get rescued safely Please God :beg:

 

[j4v3d]

what a way to wake up in the morning, just glad no-one has died, which is a miracle, feel for those who have lost their homes.