A chemical and gas leak from a lorry in Oldham prompted a major emergency response and evacuation on Wednesday afternoon, April 23. The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 PM on West End Street when a reaction inside a gas tanker released a bright orange vapor cloud into the air. 

Incident Overview 

  • A video shared on social media showed a thick orange plume rising from a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), capturing public attention and prompting concern. 
  • Emergency services, including firefighters in hazmat suits, police officers, and ambulance crews, arrived quickly to contain the leak and secure the area. 
  • As a precaution, several nearby businesses and buildings were evacuated. 
  • Police advised residents in the surrounding area to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed. 

 

Emergency Response & Safety Measures 

Five fire engines from Ashton, Heywood, Mossleya, Rochdale, and Bury stations, along with an incident command unit from Rochdale, responded to the call. 

Key safety actions taken by the emergency teams included: 

  • Evacuating nearby commercial buildings and facilities. 
  • Blocking storm drains to prevent chemical runoff and wider contamination. 
  • Sealing off the affected area to restrict public access. 
  • Providing public advisories to remain indoors and avoid the scene. 

 

What Officials Said 

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS): 

  • Confirmed the multi-station response and outlined that specialist crews would remain on-site overnight to monitor the area and complete decontamination. 
  • Noted that the situation was under control and posed no ongoing risk to the public. 

Greater Manchester Police: 

  • Supported the fire service during the response and echoed warnings for the public to avoid the area. 
  • Encouraged residents nearby to keep their windows and doors shut until further notice. 

Firefighter on Scene: 

  • Explained that the gas leak was due to a chemical reaction inside the tanker. 
  • A strong acid had been poured into the truck, causing an unexpected reaction with its contents and releasing the orange vapour cloud. 
  • Cleanup was in progress, including drain protection and chemical containment. 

 

 

How was the Oldham Gas Leak Incident Brought Under Control? 

1.Rapid Multi-Agency Coordination 

Fire, police, and ambulance services mobilized within minutes, illustrating the effectiveness of established joint-response protocols. Early arrival and clear command structure (via the Rochdale incident command unit) prevented delays.
 

Takeaway: Maintaining regular inter-agency drills and communication channels is key to swift, coordinated action. 

 

2.Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Fire crews immediately donned hazmat suits and full PPE before approaching the scene. This adherence to safety procedures minimized first-responder risk despite a highly hazardous environment. 

Takeaway: Regular PPE training and readiness checks ensure responders can engage safely and confidently. 

 

3.Evacuation and Public Communication 

Evacuating nearby businesses and advising residents to keep doors and windows closed were simple yet effective measures. They reduced potential exposure without causing panic.
  

Takeaway: Clear, concise public advisories—backed by visible barriers—help protect communities and maintain order during chemical incidents. 

4.Containment and Environmental Protection 

Blocking drains to prevent chemical runoff demonstrated foresight in protecting local waterways. This prevented secondary contamination and complicated cleanup efforts. 

Takeaway: Emergency plans should include environmental protection steps—especially where spills might enter drainage systems. 

 

5.Overnight Monitoring and Decontamination 

Keeping crews on-site overnight for continued monitoring and cleanup ensured no hidden hazards remained. It also signaled to the public that the situation was under control.

Takeaway: Incident closure should not occur until thorough decontamination and monitoring verify long-term safety.