Explosion risk residents go home

Up to 200 residents, forced out of their homes because of a potentially explosive fire, were returning to their houses on Monday.

The blaze, involving three gas cylinders, broke out at about 0700 BST on Sunday, in an allotment shed in Greater Manchester.

Fifty homes, in the Bolton Road area of Ashton-in-Makerfield, were evacuated and a 200m exclusion zone set up.

Residents were not allowed to return until fire crews cooled the cylinders.

'Calm manner'

Greater Manchester Police said between 100 and 200 people were moved, but were expected to be allowed back home at about 0600 BST on Monday.

"Residents should be praised for the calm manner they conducted themselves throughout the operation," she said on Sunday.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said it usually took 24 hours to ensure acetylene cylinders were cooled and no longer posed an explosion risk.

A traffic diversion was originally put in place while the incident was dealt with.