Residents in Longsight were given just five minutes to evacuate their homes due to a suspicious item discovered by police
Longsight: It was a hectic morning for residents when police knocked on doors, saying they had just five minutes to get out. A suspicious item was found at a house on Fencot Drive, and things escalated quickly.
Bomb disposal teams and police were on the scene around 7:50 AM. They discovered what they thought was a grenade, leading to a controlled explosion later in the day. A 17-year-old boy was arrested, but the connection between the device and drug offenses is still unclear.
Many folks were sent to the nearby Longsight Library to wait it out as temperatures dropped to freezing. Some chose to stay with family while the emergency crews worked. It was a bit chaotic, to say the least.
Residents watched as police cordoned off the area, blocking off Northmoor Road and other streets. One couple, who lived nearby for over a decade, mentioned that there had always been issues at the raided house.
They described the scene, saying, “Police were there with a saw and the big red key going at the door. We were told we had to evacuate because of an explosive device.”
Another woman, who had just returned home, shared her experience. “I was told to evacuate in five minutes, but they wouldn’t say why. I wasn’t really worried, just didn’t have time to think.”
Some residents were left in the dark about when they could return home. A father and daughter mentioned they were sitting in Piccadilly Gardens, unaware that the cordon had been lifted until they read the news.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the situation, stating that a suspicious item was found during a search warrant. They thanked residents for their patience and encouraged them to reach out with any concerns.
