News / avonmouth
‘Multiple casualties’ after explosion in Avonmouth
A huge explosion at a sewage treatment plant in Avonmouth has resulted in multiple casualties.
The explosion happened in one of the chemical tanks of the Wessex Water facility off Kings Weston Lane on Thursday morning.
Bristol24/7 understands that there were four people working on top of the tank at the time of the blast.
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The second serious explosion in Avonmouth in as many weeks shook the ground and nearby buildings, and prompted police to declare a major incident.
Home secretary, Priti Patel, said she was “deeply concerned”. She said: “My thoughts are with those affected and our brave emergency services working hard to resolve this incident.”
The sewage treatment works, located close to Avonmouth’s tip, is officially known as a water recycling centre and is Wessex Water’s biggest such facility.
Wessex Water’s water recycling centre in Avonmouth serves the whole of Bristol. It is part of the Bristol Bioresources & Renewable Energy Park – photo: Bristol Open Doors
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, chief inspector Mark Runacres said: “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.
“A cordon has been set up and we’d advise members of the public to avoid the area at this time where possible to allow the emergency services to carry out their work.
“Police enquiries into exactly what happened are at a very early stage and are continuing.”
Avon Fire & Rescue Service area manager, Matt Peskett, said: “We were called at 11.22am to reports of a large explosion on Kings Weston Lane, Avonmouth.
“Crews from Avonmouth, Southmead, Yate, Patchway, Hicks Gate, Kingswood, Weston-super-Mare and Temple were mobilised and attended the incident.
“We were joined at the scene by our police and ambulance colleagues and have now handed over the incident to the police and continue to support our multi-agency partners.”
A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service added: “We sent multiple resources to the scene, including land air and other specialist paramedic teams.
“We supported Avon Fire & Rescue Service and Avon & Somerset Police at the scene.”
Main photo and video: Ellie Pipe
Read more: Lockdown 2.0 Diaries: BS11: Avonmouth, Kingsweston and Shirehampton
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