Fuel leak chaos

FIRE FIGHTERS worked to make the area safe

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A nursery and two supermarkets were evacuated yesterday when gallons of propane leaked from a storage tank at a garage in Failsworth.

The liquid petroleum gas spilled from a 500 gallon storage tank on to the forecourt at Morrisons petrol station in Oldham Road.

Shoppers were evacuated from Morrisons and Aldi and children at the nearby Kidz Matter nursery were taken to Failsworth Town Hall. Oldham Road was closed in both directions and a 100-yard cordon set up while firefighters removed the spillage.

Ashton Road West was clogged with traffic as officers diverted cars and buses, and residents and drivers were advised to close their windows. The cordon was lifted at around 2pm.

Kidz Matter Nursery Manager Sue Ward said: “We got the call to leave so that the area could be secured. “Our priority was getting the children out safely and we couldn’t use our normal assembly point so we brought them to the town hall. We have 110 children and they have all done brilliantly.”

A Morrisons spokeswoman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused. LPG fuel leaked from a faulty valve on one of the small tanks on the forecourt.”

The faulty tank was drained and made safe.