Police cordoned off a road in Salford following reports of a loud bang in the early hours of this morning.

Further investigation revealed two industrial fireworks thrown inside a parked vehicle to be the cause of the disruption on Sangster Court near Eccles New Road.

Fears of an explosive device or pipe bomb detonation resulted in bomb disposal officers from the Royal Logistics Corp arriving at the scene.

A GMP spokesman said: “A bomb disposal team was deployed and once it was established fireworks were involved, residents were allowed to return.”

Police also stated that one of the two fireworks failed to ignite.

In a statement, GMP said that “At around 2am on Thursday 20 February 2020 police were called to reports of an explosion of a car in Salford.

Two devices that were later identified as industrial fireworks were thrown into a parked vehicle on Sangster Court. One of the devices discharged a significant quantity of smoke, the second failed to explode.

The explosive ordnance team attended the scene and residents on Sangster Court were temporarily evacuated whilst assessments took place.

There are no injuries. An investigation is currently underway.

No arrests have been made.

A large cordon remains in place at the scene .

If you witnessed the incident or have any information about the explosion please call police on 0161 8565168 and quote incident number 237 on 20/02/20.”

The sound of the second firework and emitting smoke alerted residents in the area at 1:38am on Thursday morning.

Residents spent two hours in the Travelodge on Trafford Road while police worked in the area.

Salford Now believe the incident is being treated as a ‘targeted attack’ with no specific threat to local residents.

“It was thought to be an explosive device but it was found to be industrial fireworks,” the GMP spokesman added.

This is the second incident involving fireworks this month in Salford.

On January 27, locals reported a loud explosion in the Clarendon area, also believed to be a ‘targeted attack’ according to the GMP at the time.

Salford Now have reached out to the Greater Manchester Police for comment regarding any connection between the two incidents.

This story will be updated as it develops throughout the day.

Police have asked anyone with information about the explosion to please call 0161 8565168 and quote incident number 237 on 20/02/20.

Alternatively details can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

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