Full details below:
Emergency services raced to the scene with cordons put in place
Video footage has captured the moment a ‘chemical’ was seen exploding out of a tanker before an emergency incident was declared in Oldham on Wednesday (April 23).
Emergency services raced to the scene with cordons put in place on West End Street and Chadderton Way, which were shut both ways amid the response.
Follow our LIVE incident updates here.
Multiple ambulances, fire engines, incident response units and environmental protection units were seen in attendance as members of the public were urged to ‘keep windows and doors closed’ and ‘avoid the area’.
Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
Video clips shared with the M.E.N showed an orange substance pouring out of a HGV in a nearby car park as emergency services responded at around 3.15pm.

Fire crews respond to ‘suspected chemical incident’ in Oldham
It’s understood the suspected leak involved the vehicle and that specialist teams were sent to bring it under control using equipment and PPE.
Greater Manchester Police said they were in attendance to assist with ongoing road closures, with the North West Ambulance Service sending response vehicles, HART, a duty officer and two operational commanders to the incident.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 3.15pm five fire engines from Ashton, Heywood, Mossley, Rochdale, Bury fire stations plus the incident command unit from Rochdale fire station attended a suspected chemical incident on West End Street, Oldham.
“Firefighters are working alongside partners to make the area safe with road closures in place. The public are asked to avoid the area at this time and keep windows and doors closed if nearby.”
Further details about the incident have not yet been confirmed. Oil Recoveries have been approached for a statement.
—
Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.
That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.
And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here.
You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.
If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.
And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on [email protected] or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Published: 2025-04-23 16:49:12 | Author: [email protected] (James Holt) | Source: MEN – News
Link: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Tags: #Moment #chemical #exploding #tanker #emergency #incident #declared #Oldham