Avon and Somerset Police have declared a major incident following a large explosion at Wessex Water's Avonmouth water recycling centre this morning - the police have just confirmed four people have been killed.
The police confirmed details of the fatalities at 5pm this evening - three Wessex Water employees and one contractor have died in the explosion.
The fire service, police and ambulance service were called at approximately 11.20am this morning to a site off Kings Weston Lane - emergency serices arrived at the scene in five minutes.
An explosion is believed to have occurred involving one of the chemical tanks at Wessex Water’s Bristol water recycling centre, the water company's largest sewage treatment works.
A rescue operation was subsequently led by the fire service, involving five appliances and two turntable crews - Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed there have been a number of casualties.
A full investigation into the incident will be conducted.
Chief Inspector Mark Runacres said:
“Officers remain at the scene and are likely to be for some time as we work together with other agencies in dealing with this major incident.
“A cordon has been set up and we’d advise members of the public to avoid the area at this time where possible to allow the emergency services to carry out their work.
“Police enquiries into exactly what happened are at a very early stage and are continuing.”
Avon Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Matt Peskett added:
“We were called at 11.22am to reports of a large explosion on Kings Weston Lane, Avonmouth.
“Crews from Avonmouth, Southmead, Yate, Patchway, Hicks Gate, Kingswood, Weston-super-Mare and Temple were mobilised and attended the incident.
“We were joined at the scene by our police and ambulance colleagues and have now handed over the incident to the police and continue to support our multi-agency partners.”
A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said multiple resources had been sent to the scene, including land air and other specialist paramedic teams, to provide support to Avon Fire & Rescue Service and Avon & Somerset Police.
Wessex Water have released a statement following confirmation of the deaths - Chief Executive Colin Skellett said:
“We are absolutely devastated that the tragic incident at our site earlier today has resulted in four fatalities.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved.
“We are working with the Health and Safety Executive to understand what happened and why.”
Water UK, the organisation which represents all the UK water companies, has also expresssed its sympathy. Christine McGourty, Water UK Chief Executive said:
“Everyone at Water UK was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic incident at Wessex Water’s water recycling centre at Avonmouth.
“This terrible and sudden loss will be felt throughout the whole sector. Our thoughts are with the families of those involved as well as our friends and colleagues at Wessex Water.”
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