A man was arrested on suspicion of making an explosive device after ‘chemical substances’ were found in a hotel room on Canal Street in Manchester’s Gay Village
A man was arrested on suspicion of making an explosive device after a massive emergency response in Manchester’s Gay Village. Emergency services swarmed Canal Street yesterday (Monday, May 11) after reports of ‘chemical substances’ discovered in a hotel room.
Specialist teams scoured the room when the smell of the suspected chemicals was first reported to the police by the public. A huge cordon was put up along a section of the typically bustling street and the hotel evacuated.
A handful of nearby pubs were also evacuated. In an update, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said crews ‘examined items’ within the hotel room. Chemical substances found in the room were ‘examined’ and were last night in the ‘process of being safely removed’, reports the Manchester Evening News.
A man, thought to have been staying in the room, was arrested on suspicion of making an explosive device. He was taken into custody for questioning.
The GMP spokesperson confirmed that the examination of the chemicals ‘ruled out any explosive risk’. No one was injured during the incident.
In full, GMP’s updated statement read: “The response to the incident on Canal Street in Manchester city centre is being reduced following reports of chemical substances being found. Emergency services examined items within a room inside a hotel following calls from the public at about 10:45am.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, was detained on suspicion of making an explosive device and is currently in custody being questioned. Chemical substances found in the room have been examined and are in the process of being safely removed.
“The subsequent examination ruled out any explosive risk. We are working with the hotel management to return the establishment to normal after staff and guests were evacuated as a precaution.
“We would like to thank the public and surrounding businesses for their patience as we continue with our work.”
Canal Street was sealed off between the junctions of Sackville Street and Richmond Street for several hours yesterday. Numerous police officers and firefighters were seen within the cordon, which was eventually scaled back at around 4pm.
Detectives were spotted entering and leaving businesses along the street while white-suited forensics officers captured images of the scene and specialist teams analysed the material.