Two workers on cherry-picker killed in blast at former steelworks
Two workmen are killed as fireball engulfs cherry picker in massive blast at former steelworks where fire crews continue battling major blaze
- The men were working at a height at large pipes near a gas holder
- The blaze broke out at the SSI site in Redcar on Teesside Thursday afternoon
- The blast furnace closed nearly four years ago
- Flames could still be seen on Friday as police widened a cordon around the area
Two workers who were on a cherry-picker have died in an explosion at a former steelworks on Teesside.
Fire crews attended the SSI site in South Bank, Redcar, at around 2.15 p.m. on Thursday after a blaze broke out at the premises.
The blast furnace closed nearly four years ago.
Fire crews attended the SSI site in South Bank, Redcar, at around 2.15 p.m. on Thursday after a blaze broke out at the premises
On Friday morning, Cleveland Police confirmed two men had died in the incident.
The blast appeared to have engulfed the two workers who were on a blue cherry-picker at the time, working at a height.
It looked to have happened as they worked on large pipes near a gas holder.
Flames could still be seen at times on Friday at the SSI site in South Bank, Teesside, some three miles from the old Redcar blast furnace which closed nearly four years ago.
Police widened a cordon around the blast area and roads were closed in the area while emergency crews continued to manage the incident.
In a statement, Detective Superintendent Tariq Ali said: ‘We can now confirm that there have sadly been two fatalities as a result of an incident at the former SSI site in South Bank yesterday.
On Friday morning, Cleveland Police confirmed two men had died in the incident. The blast appeared to have engulfed the two workers who were on a blue cherry-picker at the time (pictured), working at a height
‘The families of those two men have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.’
Emergency services evacuated the site on Thursday afternoon and declared the fire a ‘major incident’. Plumes of black smoke could be seen after firefighters tackled the blaze.
Police said the Health and Safety Executive had been informed of the fire.
Witnesses living nearby said they heard a loud crashing noise before smoke began to fill the sky.
It is understood that Essex based demolition company John F Hunt, was carrying out a contract to remove the former coke ovens on the site when the tragedy happened.
The identities of the two men haven’t been released.
Earlier on Thursday, emergency services had evacuated the site, part of the South Tees Development Corporation area, and declared the fire a ‘major incident’. Police said the Health and Safety Executive had been informed of the fire
In a statement issued on Friday morning, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: ‘Yesterday was a terrible and tragic day and all of our thoughts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the two workers who were involved in the accident on site.’
‘It is impossible to imagine the pain and distress which this news will have brought the loved ones of those involved. All of the staff who work at the South Tees Development Corporation site are deeply shocked and sorry for this loss.
‘All works on site have been suspended while investigations continue. The team is working with the emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive, who will continue to have an ongoing presence on site,’ he added.
Councillor Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: ‘I know everyone in the whole community will be devastated by this tragedy.
‘Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the families and friends.
SSI purchased the site (pictured) in February 2011 but went into liquidation in October 2015. The steelworks stopped production after 98 years later that month when it was announced there was no realistic prospect of prospective buyers taking it off the Thai owners
‘Our gratitude, as always, goes to the emergency services.’
SSI purchased the site in February 2011 but went into liquidation in October 2015.
The steelworks stopped production after 98 years later that month when it was announced there was no realistic prospect of prospective buyers taking it off the Thai owners.
Earlier this year, a deal was agreed to transfer half the land capable of development on the former steelworks to the South Tees Development Corporation, an enterprise promoting economic development in the Tees Valley.
Source: Read Full Article