A gas explosion was caused by a lightning strike at a food waste recycling plant in Oxfordshire. At the Severn Trent Green Power Plant at Cassington, the blast caused one of its biogas tanks to explode. The fireball from the explosion was reportedly seen lighting up the night sky by witnesses. The company reported that no one had been injured and staff were cooperating with emergency services to secure the site.
Emergency services have been deployed to the plant, which transforms food waste into biogas. Six fire engines, 40 firefighters, police and at least four ambulances have been dispatched to the area. The South Central Ambulance Service stated that paramedics are at the scene. A spokesperson added that there are no reports of any injuries at this time.
Jack Frowde, a 34-year-old Oxford University employee, described the experience of lightning striking the gas containers as causing his whole room to be lit up with a brilliant white light followed by a loud crash that sounded like heavy thunder. Thames Valley Police released a statement saying that it is believed gas containers at the site were struck by lightning during inclement weather, and this caused the large fire.
Roads in the area were temporarily closed, and residents were notified to stay at home, shut windows and doors, and not attend the scene. Residents of Burford, Chipping Norton, Milton-under-Wychwood, and Witney reported power outages. The situation is in the process of being resolved
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More