Residents have been left baffled by a series of loud bangs heard across Manchester, Salford and Trafford.
Scores of people have taken to social media asking for clarification about the noise, which has been compared to an explosion.
One local in Salford said they'd heard what sounded like explosions, followed by the sound of sirens shortly afterwards.
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People living in Manchester and Trafford said they'd also been alerted by the extremely loud noise. Others said they thought it had come from a nearby firework display.
One resident wrote on Twitter: "I thought a war had started in Manchester just now. Kept hearing loud bangs that didn't sound like fireworks. Turns out it was fireworks though."
Another said: "Can anyone hear explosions and sirens going off in Salford rn?" One resident wrote: "Oi lads what are those explosions in Salford/Trafford."
One person said they had heard the noise three times on their way home. Another suggested that the mysterious noise could have come from a Christmas lights switch on at the Kellogg's factory.
One man wrote on Facebook: "Explosion in Salford?" Dozens of people responded saying they'd also heard the noise.
A resident said: "Yeah we heard a series of loud bangs but put it down to fireworks. There was a fair amount of smoke as well, I thought it was fireworks, must have been big ones.
Another wrote: "Really weird but I was watching BBC news and the presenter said he thought he heard thunder then I saw someone had commented about an explosion how weird."
The M.E.N hasn't been able to confirm what the noises were, but Greater Manchester Police have been approached as a precaution.
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