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eNatech- Natural-Hazard Triggered Technological Accidents Database
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Natech Accident
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The Joint Research Centre does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the data in eNatech. It also reserves the right to cancel or change records without prior notification.
Type
Natech Accident
Date
2023/10/02
Time
19:20
Natural Hazard
Lightning strike at Oxford, United Kingdom, 2023
Site
Severn Trent Green Power Plant at Cassington, Oxford, United Kingdom
Status
Published
Units Involved
Name
Biogas tank
Type
Storage: Other
Event Sequences
Name
Explosion and fire
Unit
1. Biogas tank
Description
A lightning strike has caused a huge gas explosion at a food waste recycling plant in Oxfordshire.
The strike caused one biogas tank to explode at about 19:20 BST.
Substances Involved
Name
Food waste
Initiating Event
Critical Event
Major Event
Natural Hazard: Other
A lightning strike hit a biogas tank.
-
Fire: Fireball
The content of the biogas tank ignited due to the lightning strike, which resulted in the tank's explosion and the eruption of a large fire. A fireball was seen by witnesses (pyramid of flames inside a yellow and orange mushroom-like shape).
Weather Conditions
Precipitation
Rain
Description
Rain with thunderstorms
Emergency Response
Response to the Natech Event
Six fire engines, 40 firefighters, police and at least four ambulances were deployed to the plant.
Fire crews were using an aerial appliance and water tank to extinguish the flames.
Paramedics were at the scene - they were there on standby to assist police and the fire service.
Consequences
Human Health Impacts
No injuries and no casualties were reported.
Built-up Areas Impacted
Infrastructure (e.g. roads, railways, air transport)
Community Disruption
The force said the A40 highway was closed between Wolvercote and Eynsham as a result of the incident.
To ensure public safety, nearby residents were asked to stay at home, to shut windows and doors and not to attend the scene.
ID: 103, Created: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:04:09 – Last Updated: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:45:42
Created: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:04:09
Updated: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:15:04
Updated: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:24:39
Updated: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:42:18
Updated: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:44:35
Updated: Kyriaki GKOKTSI, 2023-10-12 10:45:42
Attachments
No
Description
File Size
1.
BBC News
3.92MB
2.
Sky News
8.54MB
3.
The Guardian news
561.01KB