Further loud bangs and smoke from site of Teesside explosion deaths after 'planned activity'

Early hours noise and smoke from the site of the former SSI steel works explosion in Teesside which killed two workersfollowed "planned activity" as part of the emergency response.

People living nearby were woken by loud roars at around 2.30am on Sunday as work continues at the former coke ovens site in South Bank.

Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Police have dismissed reports of a further explosion.

A police spokeswoman said:

A woman in the Cargo Fleet Lane area said she "flew out of bed" when hearing the noise.

And Alex Nicholson from South Bank reported "really thick black smoke" and noise "like a jet plane".

Cleveland Fire Brigade's area manager Steve Johnson said in a press conference on Friday that the men's bodies "remained in situ" and wouldn't be removed until the area was safe.

Specialist advice has been sought on the combination of chemicals in pipework at the site.

The Health and Safety Executive is working alongside police to investigate the circumstances of Thursday's explosion.

Essex-based demolition company John F Hunt was carrying out a contract to remove the former coke ovens and ammonia washers at the time of the blast.

One of the men worked for Nationwide Platforms.

The company said its thoughts were with "the victims’ families, friends and colleagues at this awful time".