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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Kit Vickery

'I was petrified': Shock as families evacuated from homes after bomb squad called to street

Families living on a street in Rochdale had their Saturday evening interrupted after the bomb squad descended on their road - asking everyone to evacuate.

People living on Dover Street and Clarke Street in the Buckley area were asked to leave their homes, as emergency services cordoned off the scene.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police were both at the scene, taping off parts of the street.

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Several sections of tape from both services could be seen around the street.

GMP have been contacted for more information on the nature of the incident.

Alana Calow, one of the residents, said people were left quite shaken up by the ordeal, as they hadn’t been told what was happening when they were asked to leave their homes.

She said: “I was at my mum’s when I got a phone call from my neighbour asking if I could come pick her up because everyone was being evacuated, she was really hysterical.

“They were just watching a bit of telly and the next minute there’s a knock at the door saying ‘you’ve got to leave’.

“I was petrified because we didn’t actually get told what had happened, it caused a bit of a scare for everyone.

“We’re all a bit shaken up, you don’t really expect things like this to happen, especially not at this time on a Saturday.”

Ms Calow, who was planning on staying elsewhere tonight to allow work on her home, headed back to her home to check on her neighbours after the ordeal.

All emergency services had left the scene by around 6pm, allowing people back into their homes.

Clarke Street was evacuated near to the junction with Dover Street (ASP)

She added: “The bomb squad turned up pretty quickly, they were here and gone within the hour.

“A lot of people come to me for help so I’ve gone back to a neighbour’s house to make sure everyone’s ok.

“I’m just thankful that everyone’s alright and it wasn’t something too serious so we could all get back home.”

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “It was quite scary, we were all told to leave and weren’t really sure what was happening.

“I went to my friend’s house a few streets over and we were able to get back into the house at around 5.30pm.

“Bit of a horrible way to spend a Saturday but at least we’re home now.”

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