Avonmouth explosion

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Avonmouth explosion
Avonmouth Explosion Silo Aftermath.jpg
The silo that exploded, as seen from Kings Weston Lane
Date3 December 2020
Time11:20 GMT
VenueBristol Bioresources and Renewable Energy Park
Location Avonmouth, Bristol, United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°30′46″N2°40′35″W / 51.51264°N 2.67641°W / 51.51264; -2.67641
Deaths4
Non-fatal injuries1

On 3 December 2020, at about 11:20 GMT, a silo containing biosolids exploded in Avonmouth, Bristol, UK, killing four men, including a 16-year old apprentice, [1] and injuring another person. [2] Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident, [3] [2] and a doctor and specialist paramedic in critical care from the nearby Great Western Air Ambulance headquarters attended the incident by both their rapid response car and emergency helicopter. [4] [3]

The sewage treatment and food waste site is operated by GENeco, [5] a subsidiary of Wessex Water. [3] [6] Its products include biomethane produced by anaerobic digestion, which is supplied to bus operators, among them Bristol Community Transport who operate one of the MetroBus routes. [7] [5]

Unconfirmed evidence obtained by The Bristol Cable suggests the men were using angle grinders on the top of a silo where methane could have accumulated, without adequate controls to prevent ignition. [8] The official investigation remains in progress as of December 2021. [9]

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References

  1. "Avonmouth explosion: Boy, 16, among four workers killed". BBC News. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 Morris, Steven (3 December 2020). "Four dead after explosion at Avonmouth water plant in Bristol". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Avonmouth explosion: Four dead in Bristol water works blast". BBC News. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  4. "Great Western Air Ambulance crew responds to major Avonmouth incident". Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Biomethane bus refuelling station builds on the legacy of the Bio-Bus". GENeco. 18 July 2019. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  6. "GENeco Limited – Annual Report and Financial Statements". Companies House. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  7. "Bristol Community Transport unveiled as Metrobus m1 operator". HCT Group. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018.
  8. "New details revealed about fatal Avonmouth explosion at Wessex Water plant". The Bristol Cable. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  9. "Avonmouth explosion: Investigations ongoing into blast which killed four". ITV News. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2022.