![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Oldham-chemical-scene.jpg\")
Specialist emergency services were scrambled to the scene(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\nResidents recalled seeing plumes of ‘peachy’ smoke rising into the airSpecialist emergency services were scrambled to the scene(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n
As parents prepared to pick up their children from school emergency services rushed to the scene of a chemical spill right outside. Dramatic footage shows a thick yellow cloud of gas belching into the sky from a lorry.<\/p>\n
Residents were urged to stay inside and keep all windows and doors closed as a wide cordon was put in place around the scene. Emergency services donned protective gear as they moved closer to investigate the spill.<\/p>\n
Personnel from Greater Manchester Police<\/a>, the North West Ambulance Service, and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) swarmed the scene on West End Street in Oldham at around 15.15 on Wednesday April 23. A mobile command unit and an environmental protection unit were also deployed to the scene.<\/p>\n Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group <\/strong>HERE<\/a><\/p>\n Residents shared the moment that they saw the “peachy” coloured gas rising into the air.<\/p>\n One resident said: \u201cWe just saw the smoke. I\u2019ve seen ambulances and police and they flooded the area very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n They added: \u201cThe smoke was like a yellow peachy colour.\u201d<\/p>\n Fire crews respond to ‘suspected chemical incident’ in Oldham<\/p>\n Another revealed they had just been going out to pick up their children.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I opened the door to pick my children up I\u2019ve seen the smoke, police, and ambulances,” they told the Manchester Evening News, adding: “They acted quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n A third resident shared: \u201cDuring school time I just saw the gas going up. It was like 15.15 and the kids are coming out of school.\u201d<\/p>\n GMFRS confirmed that specialists from Bureau Veritas, a company specialising in engineering inspection, were supporting firefighters at the scene.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for GMFRS at the scene told the M.E.N: \u201cThere was a strong acid poured into a truck from a site that deals with cleaning metals.<\/p>\n It\u2019s reacted with the truck and created a vapour cloud which has now dissipated.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are now dealing with the clean up, crews are blocking drains and containing spills. There is no ongoing risk to the public or to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents have nonetheless been advised to keep doors and windows shut while the clean up operation is ongoing.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: \u201cAt around 3.15pm five fire engines from Ashton<\/a>, Heywood<\/a>, Mossley, Rochdale<\/a>, Bury<\/a> fire stations plus the incident command unit from Rochdale fire station attended a suspected chemical incident on West End Street, Oldham<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFirefighters are working alongside partners to make the area safe with road closures in place. The public are asked to avoid the area at this time and keep windows and doors closed if nearby.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.<\/p>\n That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable<\/strong>, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North.<\/strong> You can also <\/strong>sign up for that here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here,<\/strong><\/a> and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.<\/p>\n![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745456350_112_maxresdefault.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745456351_695_0_Oldham-chemical-scene.jpg\")
Emergency services swarmed the scene(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745456351_972_0_Oldham-chemical-scene.jpg\")
A tent set up on the road after the incident(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745456351_527_0_Oldham-chemical-scene.jpg\")
An environmental protection unit was sent to the scene(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n