Police said a major incident was declared after a 'substantial amount' of fireworks were found in a house in Reddish.
Bomb disposal experts were scrambled to the scene on Middleton Road yesterday following the discovery. Residents were evacuated from their homes and a huge cordon was put in place.
Chief Superintendent John Webster today (Friday) spoke at a press conference from the scene as he thanked those who had been 'displaced' from their homes. He said that a 'substantial quantity of hazardous material' - an 'industrial-scale' amount of fireworks - had been uncovered and that crews were 'working really hard' to dispose of them.
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Chf Supt Webster said although the materials are not believed to have been kept in the house 'intended to cause harm to persons or property', there is a danger there'. He said a 'significant' number of people had been evacuated from their homes and that it was not yet known when they could return.
A 100m cordon remans in place at the scene and this could be extended while work is going. An information centre has been set up at Reddish Library.
Follow live updates from the cordon here
A 50-year-old man arrested yesterday remains in police custody. He is being held under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act and is being questioned by detectives.
Chf Supt Webster added at the press briefing: "Our priority is to keep people safe and keep property safe." In full, a letter he wrote to residents said: "As the GMP District Commander for Stockport, I am writing to update you on the ongoing emergency service response on Middleton Road, Reddish.
"Firstly, I want to reassure you that Greater Manchester Police and the force's partner agencies recognise the disruption this has caused and thank you for your cooperation and patience. We know that you will want to return to your homes and comforts as soon as possible and it is our highest priority to make this happen whilst keeping you, your properties, and your belongings safe.
"We know the majority of you have found alternative accommodation with your families and/ or friends so our thanks extend to them. Stockport Council have now opened an information centre at Reddish Library (Gorton Road, SK5 6UG), which you are invited to attend to ask any questions and/ or raise any concerns. GMP will continue to share updates via the GMP Heatons and Reddish Facebook page and via Bee In The Loop (Sign up via beeintheloop.co.uk).
"As you are likely aware, the emergency service response follows the discovery of a large quantity of hazardous materials in a residential property yesterday (Thursday 1 June 2023). The discovery was made by GMP officers responding to intelligence about the manufacture of illegal fireworks.
"No injuries have been reported. The aim of the ongoing emergency service response is to recover and dispose of them as safely and as quickly as possible.
"This work continued throughout the night and is ongoing today. Once specialists have stabilised the hazardous materials, they will be recovered from the property and relocated for safe disposal.
"During the relocation, there is a possibility that the cordon will be extended - if this affects you or your property you will be informed by staff who remain in the area to share updates and provide reassurance.
"The 50-year-old man who was arrested yesterday remains in Greater Manchester Police custody, held under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act. Alongside the on-scene response, a criminal investigation is ongoing so it would be inappropriate for us to share the full detail of the circumstances surrounding this discovery.
"We can, however, reassure the community that it remains our working hypothesis that this activity was related to the manufacture of illegal fireworks rather than any other explosives intended to cause harm to persons or property.
"Further updates will follow as when they are available. I thank you once again for your cooperation and patience."
Residents whose homes were evacuated were offered refuge at Reddish Library. On Friday a number of neighbours popped in during the day to try get more information about the evacuation, with library staff told to keep doors open until 8pm.
Some families stayed for a little longer, while others made arrangements to stay with friends and family elsewhere. One man, who asked to remain anonymous, worked in the library for much of the day while preparing for an exam.
He described the situation that unfolded the night before as a 'shambles', with the chaos affecting him and other residents. He said: "There were police knocking on doors, and we had two different officers tell us two opposing things in the space of five minutes.
"There's been no real communication. Most of the stuff that we know has come from rumour and social media."
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