One woman has died and two people have been hospitalised after a property collapsed in Ramsbottom.
Greater Manchester Police were called to East View in Summerseat just after 9.30pm on Wednesday (February 17) evening following reports of an explosion.
Three fire engines and a number of support units also attended, with emergency service workers searching through the rubble.
One woman was sadly pronounced dead the scene.
Another woman and child were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Nearby residents were temporarily ushered out of their homes as a precaution and people urged to avoid the area.
An investigation is currently underway.
Electricity North West said in a statement that supplies had to be suspended to 60 properties due to the incident.
“At present we have not got an estimated time of restoration, but updates will follow,” said a spokesperson.
An investigation is underway after a house collapsed at Summerseat near Bury. Two people have been taken to hospital. (Pics, Joel Goodman) pic.twitter.com/Szv7UlVigb
My thoughts and prayers with residents of Summerseat this evening after an explosion and collapsed building/s. Emergency services are on the scene. Multiple properties being evacuated, Bury Council setting up rest centre and is gold command. ?? xx https://t.co/QB4zAufXd7
Private tutor with ‘sordid sexual agenda’ jailed after sexually assaulting five young girls
Emily Sergeant
A private tutor with a ‘sordid sexual agenda’ has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a number of young girls.
Umair Iqbal, from the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, served as a private Quran and maths tutor in the Greater Manchester area, but over a 10-year period between 2010 and 2020, he would regularly attended the homes of the young women and girls to conduct his scheduled lessons and proceed to sexually assault several of them.
Primary inquiries into the 37-year-old began in October 2020 when the first account of sexual abuse was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) by a victim – who was just 15 years old at the time.
After years of believing the abuse was a fault of her own, the victim found the courage to inform her family and then the police, and a subsequent investigation into Mr Iqbal’s actions was launched by Rochdale’s multi-agency safeguarding team, known then as the sunrise team.
The investigation soon revealed the extent of Mr Iqbal’s abusive behaviour, and went on to unearth a further four victims – including a victim who had been abused from the age of eight years old.
#JAILED | Private tutor sentenced to 14 years for sexual assault of five women and girls
Umair Iqbal (28/11/1987), of Lecester Road, Cheetham Hill, was found guilty of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault against five children and adults aged eight-18 years of age. pic.twitter.com/VEwP2OYquk
“All five victims were young Muslim girls from good families, abused by a person in a position of trust and silenced through fear of getting in trouble or being blamed for the abuse,” explained Rochdale’s Detective Constable Alex Dodd, who lead the case said.
“Iqbal befriended families and used the good reputation of a community to hide behind his sordid sexual agenda.”
Following a four-week trial, Mr Iqbal was found guilty of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault against five children and adults, between the ages of eight and 18.
He appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday last week (7 August 2025), where he was subsequently sentenced to 14 years – 11 of those being in prison, of which he must serve two-thirds, with a further three on extended license.
He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders for all victims and their families.
“I would like to recognise and thank all five victims and their families for their determination during the lengthy investigation and four-week trial, which was a distressing process for them,” DC Alex Dodd concluded.
GMP encourages anyone who feels they may have been subjected to Mr Iqbal’s behaviour to come forward and report it on 101, quoting ‘Operation Ganister.’
Featured Image – GMP
News
You can stay in an aircraft, old school bus, or even a helicopter at this glamping pod near Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.
Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.
You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.
Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.
The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.
There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?
With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.
If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.
And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.
Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.
Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.
Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.
If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.
The Manc -
18th February 2021 
