Four killed in horror blast
Victims were working on sewage treatment silo when it exploded and was engulfed by a fireball
FOUR people were killed in an explosion that ripped the roof off a chemical silo yesterday.
The three Wessex Water workers and a contractor were understood to have been on top of the metal tank when it blew up.
Nearby buildings shook from the force of the blast at a waste water treatment plant in Avonmouth, near Bristol. A fifth person, whose injuries were described as not life-threatening, was taken to hospital.
Workers at the site said the silo was part of a sewage treatment plant at the water recycling centre. Police said the tank held ‘ treated bio- solids’ – believed to be treated sewage due to be recycled as soil fertiliser.
Officers refused to comment on claims the explosion was caused by methane gas, but said there was no risk to other businesses or residents in the industrial area.
Emergency services were called to the site after witnesses reported hearing ‘ a boom and echo’ that sent shock waves through nearby buildings.
Police declared it a major incident and used helicopters and search and rescue dogs to hunt for casualties.
A source told The Times that the body of one of the workers was found 160 yards from the tank.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service manager Luke Gazzard said that the search for survivors and casualties had been ‘very challenging’.
Lorry driver Ronan Doyle was about to enter the plant when he heard the blast.
He said: ‘It sounded like someone had driven into the lorry – the noise was so loud it didn’t sound like anything I’ve ever heard before and it was followed by a loud bang.’
Kieran Jenkins, who was working nearby, said: ‘ The whole warehouse was shaking and we literally stood there in shock.’
Sean Nolan said he heard a ‘ boom and echo’, adding: ‘I heard what I thought may have been two trucks colliding by the way it shook the ground... it was big.’
Wessex Water runs the water recycling centre, which is about quarter of a mile from the M5.
The site is also home to a sewage and food waste treatment plant run by Geneco, part of Wessex Water. It treats more than 700,000 tons of waste a year, turning it into biofertiliser and renewably sourced power for nearby homes.
Wessex Water failed to respond to questions about whether or not the explosion involved a Geneco tank.
Chief executive Colin Skellett said: ‘We are absolutely devastated. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved. We are working with the Health and Safety Executive to understand what happened and why.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the deaths and led praise for the emergency services’ response.
Bristol city mayor Marvin Rees said: ‘This has already been such a challenging year, and this news of further loss of life is another terrible blow. As a city we will mourn for them.’
Chief Inspector Mark Runacres, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: ‘I can reassure people in the nearby area there is not believed to be any ongoing public safety concerns.
‘We do, however, urge members of the public to avoid the area if possible.’
The families of those killed had been contacted, he said.
‘Thoughts are with the families’