Road closed as firefighters called out to home after chimney wrecked following Tameside tornado

Emergency services were called out to a home in Stalybridge today (December 29) after its chimney was left damaged by the 160mph winds brought by Storm Gerrit.

Firefighters rushed to Mottram Road, Stalybridge just before 3.15pm after a chimney stack on a roof became ‘insecure’ resulting in loose debris.

The property was cordoned off and Mottram Road closed while firefighters made the scene safe.

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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At just before 3.15pm today (Friday December 29) one fire engine from Mossley fire station attended a property on Mottram Road, Stalybridge, where a chimney stack on a roof had become insecure resulting in loose debris. Pedestrian access around the property was cordoned off to make the area safe.

“Firefighters cleared the debris and made the scene safe. Crews were in attendance for around 45 minutes.”

A huge clean-up operation is continuing in Stalybridge after the tornado ripped through the town shortly before midnight on Wednesday leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Around 100 properties were damaged in all, with the roofs of two houses completely torn off. The strong winds also brought down chimneys and roof tiles, as well as uprooting trees.

No-one was hurt as a result of the extreme weather event, which is said to be the strongest tornado seen in the UK for almost 20 years.