LONDON (Reuters): The residents of Oxford in the UK were shocked by a huge explosion that illuminated the evening sky shortly after a lightning strike, local media reported on Monday.
According to BBC, the lightning caused a huge gas explosion at a food waste recycling plant.
Some individuals have suggested that the explosion might have been triggered by a bolt of lightning in the vicinity shortly after the thunderstorms, with a video seemingly capturing the moment of impact.
However, witnesses reported seeing a fireball light up the night sky after the blast at the Severn Trent Green Power Plant at Cassington, north of Oxford.
The company said the strike caused one of its biogas tanks to explode at about 19:20 BST.
It said nobody had been injured and staff were working with emergency services to secure the site.
Six fire engines, 40 firefighters, police and at least four ambulances have been deployed to the plant, which processes food waste turning into biogas, reported BBC.
Oxfordshire County Council said fire crews were using an aerial appliance and water tank as they fought the flames.
