Store workers said they heard a “loud bang” when a sidewalk “exploded” in a shopping mall in Manchester today. Emergency services were called in the explosion at White City Retail Park in Old Trafford this afternoon.
Police cordoned off the Powerhouse Fitness after the incident in front of the gym, which caused a small fire at 13.40. About 25 properties have been cut off due to damage to an underground power cable, an Electricity North West spokesman said.
Officials working near the Chester Road shopping park, near Old Trafford Football Stadium, said they heard a “loud bang” and saw a cloud of smoke billowing from the sidewalk.
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An Ford representative told Manchester Evening News : “I noticed lightning, there was a small explosion and a small fire. “He came about 4 feet from the ground, not so strong, but a little strange.
“I didn’t think the crash was that loud, but a few of the boys in the workshop heard it and they all came out.
“The wreckage didn’t hit any cars, but everyone was passing by after it happened, so I decided to take out the cones in case there was dangerous gas. The power was cut off for about 15 to 20 minutes.”
Damaged pavement where the explosion took place today (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Another staff member working in the area said: “I heard a loud bang. I looked and then saw a black cloud coming from the ground where it happened.
Electricity Northwest and Cadent engineers were on site with emergency services as they worked to make the area safe.
Firefighters were called to the scene in front of a gym in Old Trafford
A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 13.40 on Friday, May 6, fire crews were called in an incident near a Chester Road store, Stratford.
“Two fire engines from Statford and Sale stations arrived quickly.
“Firefighters continue to attend and work with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and the Traffic Council to make the area safe.
Part of Chester Road, Old Trafford, was cut off (Image: Manchester Evening News)
A spokesman for Electricity North West said: “We received reports of a power outage at 1:41 p.m., affecting 25 properties on Chester Road due to damage to an underground power cable.
“We responded immediately and with the help of our automatic recovery systems, the power supply to all properties was restored within one hour at 2.28 pm and now teams of engineers are on site and repairing the damaged cable.”
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