Striking photos show masked crews in specialist gear on scene of major incident

Striking pictures show emergency crews wearing specialist clothing following the discovery of 'hazardous materials' in a house in Reddish.

Bomb disposal experts have been working on the scene on Middleton Road since yesterday (Thursday) and through the night after a major incident was declared. Photos show masked crews wearing protective suits going in and out of a house today, as a bomb disposal robot was also pictured inside the police cordon.

Police officers remain on the scene, as well as army personnel and ambulance crews. Greater Manchester Police said the house was first searched 'in response to intelligence about the manufacture of illegal fireworks'.

A 100m cordon was put in place as neighbours were evacuated from their homes. At this stage, they have not yet been able to return.

Residents were placed in accomodation overnight and are now being offered a 'dedicated space' at Reddish Library, police said. Members of the public should continue to avoid the area.

Silver Commander Superintendent David Henthorne said crews 'are working as fast as they can to remove these hazardous materials from the area without endangering any property or any person but, unfortunately, this is taking some time'. No further details on the materials have been released.

Yesterday, a 50-year-old was arrested and taken into police custody. He was held under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.

A statement posted by GMP this morning said: "#UPDATE | GMP and partner agencies worked throughout the night but efforts to recover the hazardous material and dispose of them safely are ongoing. The cordon remains in place so displaced residents can not yet return to their homes and members of the public should continue to avoid the area."

R