Bolton: Bomb squad called out to Eldon Street, Tonge Moor

Residents were evacuated from their homes as emergency services put up a cordon.

Police, firefighters and uniformed soldiers were mobilised to Connaught Square and Eldon Street, at around  2pm after reports that a suspicious item had been found in one of the homes, after a fire had already occurred in the area the previous evening.

The officers remained at the scene until around 4.15pm when they were able to confirm that item was not explosive but was believed to be a homemade battery.

Local resident Darren Harrison said: “It’s not even barmy anymore its just Tonge Moor!

“The amount of stuff we’ve seen just sat here in this garden is amazing!”

He added: “We first saw the blue lights last night and we didn’t really know what it was for then it was about 2.30pm today when my sister came and said there were fire engines up there.”

People on Eldon Street had to wait for several hours while emergency services went about their work, while Greater Manchester Police was able to confirm that an EOD - explosives and ordnance unit had been sent to the scene 'as a precaution'.

Another resident said: “It’s something you don’t expect to see everyday but it’s a bit scary when you hear it might be a bomb!”

At around 3.55pm emergency services were seen to go into one of the houses.

By the time they emerged, firefighters were able to confirm that the 'item' they were worried about was not a bomb but was instead believed to have been a home made battery.

Firefighters believe the incident to be connected to last night’s fire in the area which had seen a man in his 40s was taken to hospital with 'quite severe injuries' after crews were called to a home on Connaught Square at around 11.30pm on Wednesday evening.

Following today’s incident, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “The item has been assessed and there is no reason for concern.

“The cordon has now been lifted, thank you for you cooperation."