Five injured as huge explosion destroys house in Manchester

At least five people have been injured after a huge explosion ripped through a house in Greater Manchester.

Emergency services were called to Cecil Road, in Blackley, following the blast that residents compared to a “bomb going off”.

The whole of the first floor of the end-of-terrace building appears to have fallen, with a huge mound of rubble piled up in front of the house.

The street is still swarming with firefighters who are assessing the damage.

According to the ambulance service there are five people injured, two of whom have been taken to hospital.

Speaking to Mirror Online, local resident Danielle Edwards said: “I heard the bang and our house shook, we thought someone had crashed a car in to our house so we ran out and seen the house. It was like a bomb.”

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Another local told the Manchester Evening News: “I went to the street and it looks like it has taken out an entire house. There were loads of police and fire crews there.”

Stephan Holt posted: “Apparently a house has blown up or something? Loads of fire engines, unmarked police, normal police and ambulance?”

The Greater Manchester Fire brigade confirmed that at 12:40pm on Monday, January 16, five crews from Blackley, Ashton, Manchester Central, Broughton and Chadderton were called to a partially collapsed end terrace in Victoria Avenue, Blackley.

Station Commander Merl Forrer, Incident Commander said: “We are currently shoring up the property and using dogs to search the scene to ensure nobody is trapped inside.

“The building is partially collapsed and we are working effectively with partners to determine a cause of the explosion. The road the property is on is currently closed and we advise people to avoid the area if possible.”