Nelson Street: Residents prepare for homes to be demolished

Emergency services remained on Nelson Street on Thursday after the blast at a terraced property on the street on Wednesday at around 11am.

A woman in her 70s was taken to hospital with serious injuries and residents were evacuated from their homes as emergency services attended.

Residents from two neighbouring homes have been told their houses will be demolished due to damage caused by the fire.  

Following a multi-agency meeting, representatives from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services (GMFRS) informed residents that it may not be possible for them to return to their homes to retrieve belongings, due to safety fears.

The cause of the fire has not yet been discovered as GMFRS, police, has gas network Cadent and the council work together on the probe.

A drone image of the devastation left by the explosion on Nelson Street (Image: SWNS)

The council has confirmed the demolition of three properties is set to take place.

Following the evacuation of homes, it said most residents have been allowed to return. 

Mushtaq Anwar, 46, who lives at number 106 Nelson Street with his wife and four children, said his home is one of those set to be demolished.

Emergency Services and demolition teams were on site today, Thursday (Image: SWNS)

READ MORE: Bury The Body Shop at Mill Gate Shopping Centre to close

He said he has "a lot of memories" from the house where he lived for 20 years and has nothing with him but the clothes he is wearing.

Mushtaq said: “My family and I were inside and we heard a bang and we rushed down stairs.

“Everything was gone, there was fire, huge flames and smoke. We called the ambulance and other people were calling as well.

“We’re waiting [to get belongings].”

Mushtaq Anwar, 46, who lives in Nelson Street with his family (Image: Newsquest)

Another resident, who has lived in 102 Nelson Street for 24 years, said he was in his back garden when the explosion occurred and rushed out to see what had happened. His house is also set to be demolished.

He said: "I was in the back garden and I was just about to move my car [when the explosion happened].

"There was smoke everywhere you couldn't see anything."

READ MORE: 'Third person' in Radcliffe house where Donald Patience died

The house on Nelson Street which was left severely damaged by the explosion (Image: Newsquest)

His brother added: "He came back through his house to the front to see what was happening and realised that it was next door. You couldn't really see much from the back after that, there was just smoke everywhere."

A GMFRS spokesperson said the investigation has begun to determine the cause of the blaze.

In a statement this morning, they said: “Firefighters have worked through the night to damp down any remaining hotspots and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.

"Two fire engines from Bolton North and Broughton fire stations are currently in attendance at the scene alongside colleagues from partner agencies.

“We would like to thank the local community for their understanding and support while this work continues and investigations begin into the cause of the explosion.”

Greater Manchester Police has also issued an appeal to anyone with information, particularly digital media, including CCTV or video footage to come forward as the investigations continue.