Four people have been killed and another person injured in an enormous explosion at a sewage treatment facility near Bristol.
Fire crews were called to the “serious incident” at a water recycling plant in Avonmouth at 11.22am local time. Police confirmed the fatalities shortly after 5pm.
The incident is ongoing and the public have been asked to avoid the area. A security cordon has been established as a precaution. Bristol City mayor, Marvin Rees, said there is no further risk to the public.
Local police said investigations into the exact cause of the explosion are ongoing. The blast happened in a silo containing treated biosolids and was not terror related.
“An explosion is believed to have occurred involving one of the chemical tanks at Wessex Water’s Bristol water recycling centre,” a spokesperson for the force said.
“A rescue operation was subsequently led by the fire service, involving five appliances and two turntable crews, and we can confirm there have been a number of casualties.”
Chief Inspector Mark Runacres added: “Officers remain at the scene and are likely to be for some time as we work together with other agencies in dealing with this major incident.”
Eyewitness photos taken from close to the scene show a large tank which was completely destroyed during the explosion. Additional images show multiple emergency services personnel responding to the incident and a landed rescue helicopter.
“I know there will be a time for questions and I’m sure Darren Jones (MP for Bristol North West) will be asking them,” Kerry McCarthy, the Member of Parliament for Bristol East, said on Twitter. “But for the moment, thoughts are with the families and friends of those who’ve lost their lives, and our thanks to the emergency services.”
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