UPDATED: INDUSTRIAL FIREWORK CAUSES CAR EXPLOSION ON GRAFTON AVENUE, ELSEMERE PARK

Greater Manchester Police have released the following statement so I have added it here and updated this article.

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Police are appealing for information after a large firework was set off under a car in Salford.

Shortly before 7pm on Saturday 9 September 2017, police were called to Grafton Avenue to reports of a possible explosion.

Officers attended and found a Vauxhall Corsa with significant damage as well as a Renault Kangoo van with some damage to it.

A joint investigation with the fire service is underway and initial enquiries have suggested that a large industrial type firework was placed under the Corsa before being set off.

A dark grey coloured saloon type car was seen reversing up the street immediately before the bang.

Detective Sergeant Rachel Smith from GMP’s Salford borough said: “Thankfully nobody was injured during this incident but it could easily have been a different story had somebody been nearby at the time of the explosion.

“Our initial enquiries undertaken alongside the fire service suggest that the cause of the explosion was an industrial type firework placed under the Vauxhall Corsa.

“We are continuing in our attempts to establish exactly why this happened and find those responsible and I would like to ask for the public’s help.

“This happened on a Saturday evening when there could have been a number of witnesses nearby and we would be keen to speak to anyone who may be able to help us with our investigation.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 1705 of 09/09/17, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

At around 7:30pm (09/09/17) police and fire services were called to the scene of what is being described as an explosion caused by an industrial firework being placed in a car exhaust on Grafton Avenue in Elsemere Park.

Two vehicles ( a Vauxhall Corsa and a Renault Kangoo Van) were damaged in the attack which saw the rear bumper and lights blown off the Corsa.

No one was injured and police sniffer dogs were called in to check on a 'white residue' left by the explosion to ensure it's nothing more serious.

The explosion was heard across the whole area, with members of the public as far as Ordsall reportedly hearing it.

The street  was taped off by police and a fire truck was on scene alongside specialist police officers and a dog unit who were drafted in to comb the area for evidence.

A Spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said:

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“Around 7pm we were called to Grafton Avenue, Eccles, Salford, upon receiving reports of a possible explosion under a car.

“Further enquiries are ongoing and a joint investigation between the police and the fire service has been launched. It is believed to have been an industrial-type firework.”

 

If you have any information which could help then please contact GMP via 101.