Oxford explosion: Crews to investigate why recycling plant caught fire after lightning strike

  • Meridian

  • WATCH New drone footage shows three of five tanks damaged by the fire at Severn Trent Green Power in Yarnton 

Fire services will investigate why a lightning strike caused an explosion at a food waste recycling plant on the outskirts of Oxford.

Firefighters are scaling back at the scene of a digester tank at Severn Trent Green Power in Yarnton which was struck just after 7:15pm yesterday (Monday 2 October) causing a huge explosion and fire.

A similar incident took place in 2016 - prompting the question to be asked why this situation has happened twice.

Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Rob MacDougall said: "They say lightning doesn't strike twice... and it could be purely co-incidental but we will as part of the investigation we'll try and work out if there is anything that is going on that could make it more likely for lightning to strike."

Nobody was injured in the incident and no evacuations were necessary.

  • Local resident Sonia Coombs sent this video which was captured just after the explosion which lit up the field "like daylight but red"

Local Policing Area Commander for Cherwell & West Oxfordshire Superintendent Jen Hogben said: “Although we briefly had to put road closures in place on the A40, there was no requirement for any evacuation and there were no injuries.

“Our officers left the scene at approximately 4am and the road closure on the A40 was lifted.

“I would like to thank the local community for their understanding while this incident was dealt with.”

  • Eye witness Neil Currell was out fishing with his dog and happened to capture the strike on camera.

A Severn Trent Green Power spokesperson said: "Following the lightning strike at our plant in Cassington last night, the site has been fully contained and made safe.

"We’d like to thank the emergency services for their support and will continue to work with them throughout the day."

A spokesperson from Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue said, "There are now two appliances and a hydraulic platform on the scene compared to the six crews and other support vehicles at the height of the incident yesterday evening.

"The fire is under control and did not spread. Three of five tanks at the scene were damaged."

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