Firefighters evacuated 50 homes and erected a 150-metre cordon in Cadishead, Salford, after explosive gas cylinders were found in a garage fire.
At around 8pm on Sunday an aerial unit was sent up to help direct firefighters with water jets aiming to cool down the cylinders and prevent them catching alight.
Incident commanders feared the fire could set alight two highly flammable oxyacetylne cylinders and a propelyne cylinder inside the small strucure.
Residents on three nearby streets were evacuated and a 150 metre safety cordon was put in place.
Crews were called to Jellico Avenue in Cadishead at 5.20pm tonight, Sunday 11 October, to find a detached garage on fire at the back of a semi-detached house.
The small street connects Nelson Drive and Allotment Road.
The detached garage on fire on Jellico Avenue, Cadishead – By David Nunn
By @manchesterfire
Police closed Nelson Drive, Allotment Road, Moss Side Road and Rivington Drive and warned people to avoid the area.
Fire crews also shut off the local gas supply on nearby Dean Road.
GMP Cadishead and Irlam report that anyone directly affected by the evacuation can make their way to Cadishead Primary School.
An Emergency Planning Officer from Salford City Council was requested to attend the scene.
Update
8.50pm: The fire has now been extinguished but incident commanders are still concerned the gas cylinders may explode.
Investigations will continue.
Mattresses and sleeping areas have been set up for the 60 or so residents evacuated to the Primary School.
It could still be 24 hours before residents are allowed to return home.
Update
9.45pm Residents are being told that they can return home tonight after fire crews successfully tackled the fire and made the area safe.
Greater Manchester Fire are scaling down their operation and will now concentrate on safely returning people to their homes.
