Residents of Halliwell Road in Bolton have been evacuated from their homes after a strong smell of petrol was reported tonight (20 February).
The road has been partially closed outside The Ainsworth Arms pub by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) whilst Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Cadent have been investigating what has happened.
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Residents said that they have been out of their homes for around three hours and there is a strong smell of petrol in the area.
One resident Ashleigh Moore said: "At the house they said they had interest in, they've just smashed the door in, and we've just smelt serious petrol coming from there.
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"There's a manhole right in front of that house and they said that someone might have poured petrol down there or it might have been from the roadworks.
"But when they smashed that door in, it stank."
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She added that they don't know when they'll be allowed into their homes yet.
The road has remained closed and it isn’t clear when it will be reopened.
An ex resident who used to live on Halliwell Road said that when he lived there 20 years ago, a similar incident happened where the fire brigade was called out.
GMFRS have been contacted for a comment.
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