Five men were killed after a huge explosion ripped through an industrial estate in Boston, Lincolnshire, last night.
Fire and ambulance crews were called to the Broadfield Lane industrial estate after reports of a huge blast at around 7.20pm.
Police were last night investigating the source of the explosion, but there were reports it took place in an illegal distillery used by migrant workers.
Five men died in a blast this evening on the Broadfield Lane industrial estate in Boston, Lincolnshire
There were reports the explosion took place in an illegal distillery used by migrant workers
Residents reported hearing the noise up to five miles away and saw a fleet of emergency vehicles entering the site a short time later.
The explosion is believed to have occurred within Unit 8 on the complex around 200 metres from neighbouring allotments and a block of flats.
Locals reported that a building within the industrial unit was being used for the illegal brewing of vodka.
One resident said: 'I heard a huge bang just after 7pm. It sounded like the world was coming to an end.
'It all went crazy, there were fireman and ambulances everywhere.
'There have been rumours that some of the migrant workers were using the industrial estate to brew their own vodka.'
Another eye witness, Paul Featherstone, said: 'I didn't hear the explosion. I just saw the smoke. There was thick black smoke coming out of the unit. If the explosion hadn't killed them, the smoke would have.
'There was one person who got out. All his arms were ablaze.'
Police cordoned off the area and have so far refused to comment on reports that the unit was being used an illegal distillery but a spokesman confirmed all the casualties were believed to have come from the same building.
A sixth man was taken to Boston Pilgrim Hospital, suffering from serious injuries, and had since been transferred to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham
Nerys McGarry, spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police, said: 'We were called to an industrial unit at Broadfield Lane, Boston, shortly before 7.30pm.
'There was an explosion. There have been five confirmed fatalities. They were all men. I understand it to have been an instant explosion that caused their deaths.
'A further man has been taken to the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, with serious injuries. He has been transferred to the Queens Medical Centre at Nottingham as a result of his injuries.
'We have no indication as to the ages of the men or as to what caused this explosion. There will be further forensic examinations taking place during the night.'
The man who survived was described by witnesses as being on fire as he ran from the small industrial unit.
Ms McGarry said inquiries will include an examination of what activity was being undertaken at the unit.
Boston has one of the country's largest populations of migrant workers with up to 25 per cent of the town's 30,000 population believed to be from Russia, Eastern Europe and Portugal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Terima kasih telah memberi komentar.