Rochdale gas leak LIVE as street evacuated with fire crews at the scene - updates

Residents on a street in Rochdale have been evacuated amid an ongoing gas leak incident. Police and fire crews have cordoned off Oswald Street, off Yorkshire Street this afternoon.

Pictures from the scene show a large emergency services presence at the scene. The residential road has been taped off, with Cadent gas distribution also in attendance.

A number of homes have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for further details.

This is a live incident. Updates to follow below.

A spokesperson from gas distribution nework Cadent said: “We were called to a gas leak from a damaged pipe on Oswald Street, Rochdale this afternoon. Engineers have been working with the emergency services to ensure the gas can be switched off safely to the nearby property.

“We are aware that a property has been evacuated as a precaution and part of Oswald Street has been closed whilst all services carry out their work safely.”

We are awaiting a full update from the fire service on the nature of the incident.

The road remains closed with a number of homeowners still displaced this evening.

Fire crews and police as well as other agencies remain at the scene, what is understood to be a suspected gas leak this evening.

Emergency services are believed to have been called around 3:10pm today.

It is believed that a third of the road was closed off with multiple houses being evacuated 'as a precaution' while investigations take place.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have confirm they have fire engines and the technical response unit from in attendance.

They were unable to tell us what the incident is however said an investigation is ongoing with a small number of