A man is in a critical condition in hospital after a loud bang 'shook' a number of houses on a street before a car went up in flames.
Police were called to the incident in Milnrow this morning where they found a vehicle fire and an injured man. He was taken to hospital and officers say he is in a critical but stable condition.
Eyewitnesses say a vehicle exploded in Rochdale at around 10am with dramatic photos showing what remains of the burnt out car.
Police, fire crews and an air ambulance were called to the scene and pictures show forensics taking photos of the area.
The Manchester Evening News reports residents 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.
Emergency services are at the scene and members of the public are advised to avoid the area.
One resident said they were awoken by a 'loud bang' which 'shook the house'. They then noticed 'thick smoke' coming from behind their house.
She said: “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.”
A GMP spokesperson said in the latest statement : "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 Greater Manchester Police earlier said: “Emergency services are currently responding to an incident on Ladyhouse Close, Milnrow.
"Police were called by the ambulance service at around 10am this morning. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that crews were called to reports of a vehicle fire at 9.55am this morning.
"The fire involved one car, as well as fencing and plastic guttering of a neighbouring property, they said in a statement.
A spokesperson for GMFRS said: "At approximately 9.55am 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.”
One resident said: “Well I live just around the corner and was lay in bed as I had just woken up.
"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.
“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’. They added that after a short while the side of the house nearest to the car was also on fire.
