Residents were forced out of their homes after a ‘suspicious item’ was uncovered at a house in Longsight on Wednesday (January 8). An explosion was carried out after police uncovered the item, thought to have been a grenade, after raiding a house on Fencot Drive.
Homeowners were evacuated with just minutes notice as bomb disposal teams, police and fire crews raced to the incident at around 7.50am. A teenage boy, aged 17, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. It is not yet clear how the suspicious device is linked with the drugs offences.
The M.E.N was told how many residents were directed to the nearby Longsight Library after being evacuated on Wednesday morning, as temperatures plummeted to 0 degrees. Others said they had stayed with family members while emergency crews worked at the scene.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) also attended along with Tactical Aid officers. Nearby Northmoor Road was also blocked as cordons were put in place.
A controlled explosion was later carried out on Wednesday afternoon before the cordons were lifted.
Bomb disposal units at the scene
One couple, who said they had lived on Fencot Drive for 13 years, claimed there have ‘always been problems’ at the house police raided.
After witnessing the dramatic scenes, they said: “Police were there with a saw and the big red key going at the door. We were told we had to evacuate because of an explosive device.
“We went to the library but spent half the day walking around. Our opposite neighbour has agoraphobia and doesn’t go out, but she got carted out in a wheelchair.”
Another elderly woman opposite had also only just returned home to her cat. “I’ve been staying with my daughter. Police came to the door saying we had five minutes to evacuate,” she said. “But wouldn’t tell us why.
“They just said they had found a device. I wasn’t really worried – I didn’t have time to think. We don’t normally get this sort of thing around here. The police come from time to time – but it’s never this bad.”
Another father and daughter were just returning home when they spoke to the M.E.N, after being turfed out at around 8am.
“The police didn’t call us back to let us know we could return,” they said. “We’ve been sat in Piccadilly Gardens. We didn’t know the cordon had been lifted until we read the news.”
The area was cordoned off
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A bomb disposal unit was pictured on the street while several surrounding roads were reportedly taped off by police, including Northmoor Road, Blakey Street and Melling Street. The nature of the item discovered by police has not been officially disclosed.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 7.50am this morning, officers conducted a warrant at an address on Fencot Drive, Manchester. During a subsequent search of the property, a suspicious item was discovered by officers.
“EOD attended and a precautionary cordon was put in place as work was carried out, with a controlled explosion taking place earlier this afternoon.”
Detective Inspector Christopher Woodburn added: “A controlled explosion was carried out safely following the recovery of a suspicious item this morning, and further assessments are underway, with cordons now becoming lifted.
“We would like to thank local residents for their patience, and would urge them to speak to officers should they have any concerns.”