Emergency crews surround building at retail park due to 'dangerous' incident

Fire crews surrounded a building at a retail park in Tameside on Sunday (December 22) due to a 'dangerous' incident. Parts of the building outside Next and Pets at Home at Snipe Retail Park in Ashton-under-Lyne were cordoned off by emergency services at around 4pm.

Fire crews could be seen assessing the building. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said they were called to reports of a 'dangerous structure' amid strong winds battering the region.

A 10ft metal fascia from the canopy of the building had come loose and blown into the car park. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for wind on Saturday and Sunday (December 21 and 22), covering Greater Manchester and other parts of the north west. Winds of up to 50mph were forecast.

Checks were then carried out to the rest of the building after the metal fascia had been removed, before the incident was passed on to site security.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said, “At around 4pm this afternoon (Sunday 22nd December), firefighters were called to reports of a dangerous structure on the Snipe retail park in Audenshaw.

“One fire engine from Ashton fire station quickly arrived at the scene, where a 10ft metal fascia from a building’s canopy had come loose and blown into the car park.

"Fire crews secured the metal sheeting and carried out checks to the rest of the building to ensure it was safe, before handing over to site security. Firefighters were at the scene for around an hour.”

Snipe Retail Park and Tameside Council have been approached for a comment.