Homes damaged in large explosion in Shaw

[xxMATTGxx]

A number of homes have been damaged in a large explosion in the Shaw area of Oldham.

Greater Manchester Police said the explosion happened in Oak Street shortly after 11:15 BST.

Police, fire and ambulance services are at the scene and there were "possibly people trapped", the fire service said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ester-18594635

Still developing... Hope no one has been hurt badly

Image from ITV:

[Ardemax]

Hope nobody is seriously hurt!

[sex]

the street looks pretty bad already
did they say what caused it?

[MKR&*42]

the street looks pretty bad already
did they say what caused it?

Aload of news sites are saying it's suspected to be a gas explosion. I don't think anyone is 100% sure yet. E.g.

"Sam Gibson, 25, of Oak Road, which adjoins Buckley Street, told the Manchester Evening News: "There was a really strong smell of gas all morning and it was getting progressively worse as time went on but obviously you don't expect anything like this to happen."

[GommeInc]

Aload of news sites are saying it's suspected to be a gas explosion. I don't think anyone is 100% sure yet. E.g.

If it is, whoever is in charge of the gas network in the Manchester area needs to do a whole sweep of the area... I swear this is another gas explosion in many which has happened in the last year in that area, but I could be mistaken. Too many old pipes and subsidence :/

[Robbie]

I live 2 mins away walking distance. Madness. Police everywhere.

[xxMATTGxx]

If it is, whoever is in charge of the gas network in the Manchester area needs to do a whole sweep of the area... I swear this is another gas explosion in many which has happened in the last year in that area, but I could be mistaken. Too many old pipes and subsidence :/

There was one two years ago but not in the same area as today. That's if it is a gas explosion, not sure if they have confirmed it but there was smell of gas before it happened I believe.

[lawrawrrr]

holy crap, hope everyone's ok!! @Robbie; do you know anyone in the damaged houses if you're that close??

[Robbie]

holy crap, hope everyone's ok!! @Robbie; do you know anyone in the damaged houses if you're that close??

nope but 1 child is confirmed dead, people saying it was a 3 month old boy. 1 person still trapped and another unaccounted for.

[lawrawrrr]

nope but 1 child is confirmed dead, people saying it was a 3 month old boy. 1 person still trapped and another unaccounted for.

Oh god, that's terrible D: thoughts go out to the family xo