Manchester Canal Street horror as man arrested for ‘making explosive device’ | UK | News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of making explosives during a major emergency response in Manchester on Monday. Emergency crews rushed to Canal Street in Manchester’s Gay Village after reports of “chemical substances” being found in a hotel room.

Expert teams searched the room around 10.45 in the morning after citizens informed the police about the suspicious chemical smell. A large cordon was set up along the usually busy street between Sackville Street and Richmond Street, and the hotel was evacuated as a precaution. Some nearby bars and pubs were also cleared during the incident. In an update, Greater Manchester Police said emergency services were “examining items” in the hotel room. The chemicals contained in it were later examined and taken into the “safe removal” process.

A person believed to be staying in the room was detained on suspicion of making explosives and taken into custody for questioning.

Police said examination of the chemicals “ruled out any risk of explosion.” No one was injured during the incident.

A GMP spokesman said: “The response to the incident on Canal Street in Manchester city center is being scaled back following reports of the presence of chemicals.

“Emergency services examined the belongings in a hotel room upon a call from the public at around 10.45.

“A person thought to be the resident of the room was detained on suspicion of making explosives and is currently being questioned in custody.

“The chemical substances in the room have been examined and the process of safe removal continues.

“Subsequent inspection eliminated any risk of explosion.

“We are working with hotel management to return the business to normal following the precautionary evacuation of staff and guests.

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