A "substantial" amount of cash is understood to have been stolen in a robbery at the Co-op store Delph last night.
Police and fire crews from Oldham, Chadderton and Mossley raced to the scene in King Street at 11.30pm after a security system at the store was activated, releasing smoke.
No-one is believed to have been injured in the incident.
Fire crews made the scene safe as police continued their investigations.
A fire service spokesman said: "We were called because initially it looked like there was a fire in the building because of the smoke, but it turned out to be the security system."
One villager said: “There were clouds of smoke coming out of the building and lots of noise.
"Two men came out of the building came out of the. Building and made off in a light grey colored car. There was cash strewn on the pavement at King Street.”
Another resident said: “Thieves left in a car at speed. A taxi driver tried to block their escape.”
The Co-op have now posted: “You may of heard that there was an incident at the Co-op Delph last night.
“It wasn't an armed robbery and no staff where in the building at the time and no one was hurt.
“There is a lot of damage and the police are still there. As soon as they can leave all the staff are going in to do a clean up to get our doors open as soon as we can for our community.
“Thank you for your messages, we really appreciate the love we get from our customers.”
