Dozens of police officers have descended on residential streets, including Romney Street and Littleton Road, in Salford, Greater Manchester, following reports of a serious incident
Armed officers and a police helicopter have swarmed a residential area of Salford tonight.
Residents say “at least 30” officers have descended on Romney Street and Littleton Road near the Pendleton part of the city. A cordon has now been put in place on those two roads, which are residential streets near the River Irwell. Multiple ambulances also raced to the scene earlier this evening.
A police helicopter was seen circling the scene of the incident earlier tonight. Flight paths show the helicopter searching over the Salford area.
Writing on Facebook, residents shared their concern. One said: “Loads of police at the petrol garage.” Another posted: “Helicopter flying over for a bit now.” A third shared: “What’s going on with all the helicopters and the police in the area? Is everyone okay?” The Mirror understands residents have been evacuated amid the police operation.
READ MORE: Surrey Police’s response in FULL as mum arrested after confiscating daughters’ iPads
At least nine police vans are at the scene, reports Manchester Evening News. The publication has contacted Greater Manchester Police for comment.
Bystanders were told to “evacuate the area” as multiple streets were cordoned off this evening, according to witnesses. One said: “We got told by a member of the public someone was seriously hurt and everybody had to evacuate the area.”
The incident has happened near the Buile Hill area where, last week, a fire sent huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed fire engines had been sent to Duchy Road on April 8. One user took to X to share a picture of the view from The Quays in Salford toward Salford Precinct, with a towering plume of smoke seen dominating the skyline.
Smoke was seen rising from Salford, as well as Whitefield, which is in Bury, Greater Manchester. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service had said: “At shortly before 1.50pm on Tuesday two fire engines from Agecroft, Broughton and Salford fire stations were called to a fire involving a large pile of tyres off Duchy Road, Salford. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using jets to tackle the fire. Crews remain in attendance.”
READ MORE: Lexington explosion: Child killed after massive gas blast tears through family homes
Duchy Road lies between Salford and Pendlebury, running through a housing estate, down the side of a large green space and football pitches before intersecting with an industrial estate area. Concerned residents took to social media to share pictures and videos of the smoke dominating the skyline.
Many were asking for more information on the fire shortly after fire crews say it broke out with one user asking: “Anyone know where the Salford fire is? Looks to be north-west of the uni?”
Another said: “Whatever the big fire in Salford is, it can also be seen from Whitefield”. While a third just stated: “Something is on fire in Salford.”
This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.