Man seriously hurt in blast while trying to open safe with angle grinder

22 February 2024 , 13:40

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A man in his 80s has been left seriously injured (Image: MEN Media)

A pensioner was seriously injured when he caused an explosion while trying to open a safe full of gunpowder with an angle grinder.

The man, thought to be in his 80s, was rushed to hospital with 'serious leg injuries' after the blast in a quiet part of Wigan, Greater Manchester. He was reportedly using an angle grinder to open a safe filled with gunpowder when sparks set it off. Emergency services and the bomb squad were called to Park Road, Billinge, on Wednesday afternoon (February 21) after locals heard a loud bang.

An ambulance service spokesman said they sent a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and the air ambulance just after 2.35pm. A firefighter told the local paper that the emergency was a "once in a career incident." The road was closed off while safety checks were done to make sure there was no risk of more explosions, but then the operation was scaled down.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Officers were called to reports of an explosion inside a property on Park Road in Billinge. Emergency services attended the scene and a man in his 80s has been taken to hospital with serious leg injuries.

A huge emergency services presence, including fire crews, paramedics and police, descended Billinge, Wigan (MEN Media)

"Enquiries suggest that the explosion was caused by the ignition of a flammable substance and there is no wider threat to the community. The scene has now been made safe by emergency services and no neighbouring properties were evacuated during the incident."

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