“When I saw the army guy, I thought ‘What the hell is going on here?’": Locals speak of shock after bomb squad descend
24.03.2024 - 21:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Residents on a quiet residential street in Tameside have spoken of their shock after the bomb squad were called in. It on The scare began on Pottinger Street in Ashton-under-Lyne at around midday on Sunday (March 24).
The street, which has a row of houses on one side, and Oxford Park with football pitches and a children's playground on the other, has a footpath leading to the Ashton Canal.
Police said a 'suspicious' item was found in the water. Those living nearby said they were initially told it was a suspected 'device', potentially a historic mortar.
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A 'precautionary cordon' was put in place with street being taped off from the footpath to the junction with Stockport Road whilst bomb disposal experts were called in to assess it.
The cordon was lifted around two and a half hours later.was later after it was confirmed to be a 'non-suspicious piece of metal. ' However, those living nearby say they were left stunned and concerned by the drama.
Judith Morrison, 77, who has lived on Pottinger Street for the past seven years, said: “A neighbour told me there was a mortar bomb found at the canal.
“I had a look and it was all taped off. They weren’t letting people go in and out. There were the fire engines, an ambulance, and police were going up and down.
“When I heard what it was all about I thought ‘oh my god!’ I thought we might have to be evacuated if it was serious but thankfully they all started leaving after a while. They obviously deemed it wasn’t a threat whatever it was, which is a relief.”
A man, who lives on the street, who didn't want to be named, said: