Four firefighters were taken to hospital after a blast knocked them to the ground.
A crew based at Farnworth Fire Station attended a fire in Cross Street, Farnworth, just after 1am today.
After four officers scaled a fence to get nearer to the fire, an acetylene cyclinder near them exploded.
It knocked the men to the ground and they suffered a temporary loss of hearing.
The men were taken to The Royal Bolton Hospital for a check up and allowed to resume duties before their shift ended at 8.30am.
Their colleagues tackled the blaze and made the scene safe.
People living at least a mile away from the cylinder reported feeling the force of the blast.
A Fire Service spokesman said: "“A multi-agency investigation is now being undertaken by firefighters, police and the Health and Safety Executive.”
Read more about the incident in Monday's edition of The Bolton News.
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