Homes evacuated after shop blast

A number of homes were evacuated after an explosion which blew apart a disused shop in Greater Manchester.

The front and back walls of the mini market in Ashton-under-Lyne were destroyed by the blast, which is being treated as suspicious.

No-one was injured in the incident on Katherine Street, but six people were asked to leave their nearby homes as a precaution.

A joint inquiry is being carried out by police, fire officers and Transco.

A number of roads in the area have been closed while emergency services deal with the scene.