Teenager has 'potentially life-changing injuries' after an 'unknown substance' is thrown at him in Manchester: Man, 19, is arrested on suspicion of assault

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 19:39 EDT, 12 September 2026 | Updated: 20:14 EDT, 12 September 2026 A teenager has suffered potentially life-changing injuries after an unknown substance was thrown on him outside a shopping centre. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault following the attack and is being held in custody for questioning. Police said that a man in his mid-teens had a substance thrown at him after getting into an argument with a man. Emergency services, including fire crew and paramedics, rushed to the scene near the Arndale Shopping Centre in Manchester at around 6.10pm.The teenager was rushed to hospital where he faces potentially life-changing injuries, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).His condition is said to be non-life threatening. A teenager has suffered potentially life-changing injuries after an unknown substance was thrown on him outside a shopping centre Emergency services, including fire crew and paramedics rushed to the scene near the Arndale Shopping Centre in Manchester at around 6.10pmOne witness told MEN that the teenager was 'hosed down' by the fire brigade. The witness said: 'The fire brigade hosed down one of the lads and he was taken in an ambulance topless.'GMP has urged anyone with information about the attack to get in touch. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'At 6.10pm this evening, we were called to an ongoing disturbance at Exchange Square in the city centre.'Officers arrived at the scene and established that an individual has had an unknown substance thrown at them following a verbal altercation.'The victim, a male in his mid-teens has received an injury that has been described as not life-threatening but potentially life-changing.'A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody.'There is a scene in place and investigations are currently ongoing.'Anyone with information about this incident, including any CCTV, mobile or dashcam footage is asked to get in contact with GMP using 101 or gmp.police.uk, and quoting log number 2156 of 12/09/2026.