‘Huge bang’ heard for miles as police van ‘explodes’ into flames

Residents described hearing a ‘huge bang’ after a police vehicle ‘exploded’ into flames in Leigh^[1].

The vehicle was parked on Derby Street at around 11.10pm last night (Friday) when the fire broke out. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said it caught fire ‘through an electrical fault’.

A fire engine was called to the scene and the flames were extinguished. Locals described hearing a loud bang, with some describing the noise of an ‘explosion’ after the van set alight.

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No-one is believed to have been hurt in the incident. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Shortly before 11.10pm last night (Friday 18 August), one fire engine from Atherton fire station was called to attend a van fire on Derby Street, Leigh.

“Crews arrived quickly and used two hose reels and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. Firefighters worked alongside Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe before departing after approximately an hour at the scene.”

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1. ^ Leigh (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
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