BRITAIN: A fire caused by a massive explosion at a chemical plant in England has been brought under control, police said.
The blast happened at the Terra Nitrogen UK site in an industrial area off Haverton Hill Road, Billingham, Teesside, at 12.15am yesterday.
It caused a fire involving mixed gases and prompted the police to declare an emergency.
Firefighters and ambulance crews were called and by 2.45am the blaze had been put out. Two people working at the site were treated for cuts and bruises.
Nearby roads were closed and residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut as a precaution. The plant, which produces ammonia and was previously owned by ICI, was shut down.
The cause of the blast is not clear but police said an investigation would be carried out.
Residents reported hearing the huge blast and seeing a massive ball of flame. Resident Les Gunn told BBC News 24: "I am four to five miles away from Billingham and the area of the chemical works but the noise was absolutely deafening."