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Avonmouth explosion: Body found 500ft away from blast which left four dead

The Avonmouth blast killed four people on Thursday. (PA)
The Avonmouth blast killed four people on Thursday. (PA)

The body of a victim of the Avonmouth explosion was reportedly found 500ft from the fatal blast.

Four people died in the tragedy at the Wessex Water waste water treatment works near Bristol on Thursday.

Police said three were employees of the firm while the fourth was a contractor. A fifth person was injured but is not thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Times reported that a source close to the investigation said: “A silo blew up as the men were working on it.

“They have been looking for the bodies and found one 150 metres away. There are four dead and one injured who could walk away from the scene.”

Watch: Four dead in water works explosion

The explosion happened in a silo that contained treated biosolids, which would later be recycled as an organic soil conditioner.

Police, ambulances and fire crews were rushed to the scene after being called out at about 11.20am.

Luke Gazzard, from Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said the incident was “very challenging”.

Sean Nolan, who saw the aftermath, said he had heard a “boom and echo” but believed it came from a traffic accident.

“I heard what I thought may have been two trucks colliding by the way it shook the ground… it was big,” he said.

The scene in Avomouth, Bristol, as fire crews, police and paramedics are responding to a large explosion at a warehouse where there have been multiple casualties.
The top of a silo was blown up in the fatal explosion. (PA)
The scene in Avomouth, Bristol, as fire crews, police and paramedics are responding to a large explosion at a warehouse where there have been multiple casualties.
Fire crews, police and paramedics were sent to the scene. (PA)

Police said a “thorough investigation” will be carried out by agencies including the Health and Safety Executive.

Chief Inspector Mark Runacres, of Avon and Somerset Police, said the force “will not be speculating on the cause of the investigation while such work is being undertaken”.

Colin Skellett, Wessex Water’s chief executive, said the company was “absolutely devastated” and would work with the Health and Safety Executive “to understand what happened and why”.

Chief Inspector Mark Runacres of Avon and Somerset Police addresses the media. (Jake McPherson/SWNS)
Chief Inspector Mark Runacres of Avon and Somerset Police addresses the media. (Jake McPherson/SWNS)
Police at the scene following the explosion. (SWNS)
Police at the scene following the explosion. (SWNS)

Political reaction included Boris Johnson, who said “our hearts go out” to the victims and their families, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer offered his condolences.

Bristol City mayor Marvin Rees said the “thoughts of our city” were with the victims’ families.

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