Van crashed and burst into flames near Wigan Pier

Emergency services rushed to Swan Meadow Road, near Wigan Pier, shortly after 10pm on Wednesday to reports of a blast and found a Ford Transit van ablaze.

Reports are scarce but the North West Ambulance Service said that its crew arrived but did not need to treat anyone, suggesting that the driver escaped unscathed.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said that the flames were quickly extinguished and no other vehicle appeared to have been involved.

But the noise and activity, so soon in the aftermath of the Manchester bomb and the arrest of a suspect in Wigan, created anxiety.

Reader Elisa Harris took a picture of the blaze and tweeted: “We heard police sirens and then a loud bang! What’s happening Wigan? Car on fire on Swan Meadow Road near the Mill.”