HUNDREDS of homes in the Pimhole area of Bury were rocked by a huge blast when a propane gas cylinder exploded.

Fire crews who raced to the scene on land in James Street found the remains of the metal container among a quantity of burning building materials.

It has not been fully determined whether the cylinder was thrown on to a fire already lit or whether the explosion caused the blaze.

Officers extinguished the fire within minutes. Sunday (April 6) afternoon's explosion could be heard over a wide area.

Mr John Thorpe, who lives in Andrew Street, said: "The explosion certainly rocked houses. The blast happened on land near the mill at the bottom of James Street."

Children playing in the area are being blamed for causing the incident. No-one was injured.

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