Explosion at Northamptonshire village workshop

Firefighters have been called to a fire and explosion at a workshop in a Northamptonshire village.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm on 2^nd August.  An area spanning around 200 metres was cordoned off amid fears that there could be further explosions. Gas cylinders are thought to be stored at the property in Bengal Lane, Greens Norton. Firefighters are trying to cool them down safely to avoid further explosions. Nearby homes have been evacuated.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “Police are supporting the Fire and Rescue Service at an incident in Greens Norton where a man has been air lifted to Birmingham Hospital with burns. It is not yet known when the area will be open as we await confirmation that the fire has been completely extinguished.”

Sam Landymore who witnesses the incident said: “I was at the park when I first saw the air ambulance arrive in the village. Over the next hour I saw four fire engines and several police cars arriving. I could see smoke pouring into the sky and heard three separate loud bangs followed by thick black smoke.”