A hotel in the heart of Manchester’s gay village has been evacuated after reports of a “smell causing suspicion”.
A large section of Canal Street in the city centre is cordoned off and police said the evacuation was ordered as a “precautionary measure”.
A man, believed to be the occupant of a room in the hotel, has been detained and is being questioned. The room is being searched by officers with special equipment after the smell – “currently believed to be chemicals” – was reported.
Greater Manchester Police said: “No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances.”