A worker was injured after a reported explosion at a high-rise tower currently being built in Manchester city centre. Police, ambulance crews and firefighters were called to the scene on Albion Street, off Whitworth Street, at around 9am on Tuesday morning.
The Manchester Evening News understands the incident happened at the Viadux Tower, which is currently under construction.
It's understood construction workers were working with concrete in flooring space on one of the tower's higher floors when the explosion happened.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed one worker was injured in the blast, but thankfully their injuries were not described as 'life-changing'. Only limited information has been released but specialist emergency services response teams and vehicles were mobilised.
The 40 storey-high tower above Castlefield Locks is set for completion by property developer Salboy next year and will offer one and two-bedroom apartments as well as commercial office space. Salboy and the construction company said a full investigation has been opened.
The site off Albion Street is near to the existing Axis Tower.
Greater Manchester Police said: "GMP were called to Albion Street in the city centre this morning (Tuesday 4 April 2023) at around 9am to reports of an explosion at a high-rise building.
"Injuries sustained by one of the workers are believed not to be life changing with emergency services still in attendance to ensure the building is structurally safe."
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Four GMFRS fire engines and an aerial platform were called to attend a construction site off Albion Street in Manchester shortly after 08.45 this morning, in support of colleagues from North West Ambulance Service.
"Firefighters have now left the scene."
In a statement, North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 8:26am to Albion Street in Manchester.
"We attended with our Hazardous Area Response Team, ambulance, rapid response vehicle, advanced paramedic and on scene commander. One patient has been taken to hospital."
In a joint statement, Salboy and DOMIS Construction said: "Earlier today, an individual was injured on one of our sites. We take the safety of everyone on our sites and the surrounding areas very seriously, and we have opened an investigation to understand what happened and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future."
DOMIS Construction is Salboy's dedicated construction partner and manage the site.
The Manchester Evening News approached the Heath and Safety Executive for comment. A spokesman said: "We are aware of this incident and making some initial enquiries."
No further details have been revealed.
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