The bomb squad was scrambled to two incidents 13 miles apart following reports of 'suspicious items' just hours apart in Greater Manchester. Army personnel rushed to scenes in Oldham and Bolton following emergency calls on Wednesday (March 22).
Separate cordons were erected. One incident, it was later revealed, was prompted by the discovery of 'suspicious batteries'. The other was sparked by a 'commercial firework'.
During both incidents, people were told to stay inside their homes.
In Bolton, video footage captured the moment a controlled explosion was carried out. Emergency service descended on Sweetloves Lane, off Blackburn Road, at around 8am.
READ MORE: Moment controlled explosion carried out after 'suspicious batteries' found near nursery
Little Lambs Nursery, which was within the police cordon, was evacuated. Bomb disposal experts were dispatched to assess the find, which the Manchester Evening News understands was a bunch of batteries.
A bomb disposal robot carried out a controlled explosion.
"We turned up to work and the police started appearing and shouted 'get back'," a witness said. "An old man walked to the alley, past it, and we shouted to the police that he was there.
"We’ve been working in and out of here for years. It’s a quiet area. It’s not something you see every day."
A spokeswoman for the nursery said staff were asked to evacuate. Children were taken to a nearby school before being collected by their parents.
The nursery will reopen as normal on Thursday. The cordon was removed at around 11.45am.
In a statement issued earlier, a GMP spokesperson said: "Greater Manchester Police were called at around 8am today (Wednesday 22 March 2023) to Sweetloves Lane in Bolton to reports of suspicious items being found.
"Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) are currently assessing the items. A current 100m cordon is in place to ensure the safety of the public. There is believed to be no wider risk to the community."
A further statement issued at around 11.45am read: "#UPDATE | GMP can confirm the cordon placed around Sweetloves Lane this morning in #Bolton has been removed and the suspicious item, which was not an explosive, made safe by EOD.
"Officers would like to thank the local community for their co-operation and understanding on this."
In Oldham, around 15 minutes after that incident concluded, officers and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were called to Drake Close to reports of another suspicious item.
A cordon was erected, including up to the junction with Crompton Street and Henshaw Street. Residents were advised to stay in their homes as an investigation was launched.
Around an hour, later GMP Oldham confirmed firework. It was disposed of safely.
One man said: “The officers blocked off the area outside, they came knocking on our doors saying it was a bomb scare. Then it was all blocked off with tape and nobody could leave."
Greater Manchester Police later tweeted: “The suspicious item is believed to be a commercial firework and has been taken away and disposed of by the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).
“Many thanks to everyone for being vigilant and patient today.”
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