Homes evacuated following garage fire in Shawclough

Date published: 27/10/2006

Fire and police officers were called to Shawclough Road in Rochdale at around 9.25pm last night, Thursday, 26 October 2006, following reports of a fire in a garage.

Officers cordoned off an area around the premises following concerns that an acetylene cylinder stored in the garage could explode.

The fire was extinguished and a number of nearby homes have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Police have advised that Shawclough Road was closed and a diversion set up via Bentley Street. This road closure is currently still in place.

Shawcough resident Lesley Whittam, who lives on Fallowfield Drive, said: "to get into Rochdale this morning I had to turn left up Shawcough Road and then drive up Thrum Hall Lane to Whitworth Road because Shawclough Road is closed off and the traffic is severely affected."