Serious injuries after explosion at AD facility

Two men were seriously injured following an explosion at an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Nottingham, UK, media reports.

Police and firefighters were called to the Colwick industrial estate on 20 September, following reports of an explosion at Bio Dynamic’s biogas production facility. Two men were taken to the nearby Queen’s Medical Centre with serious injuries.

According to the Nottingham Post, a statement released by the local police force said: "We received reports of a gas explosion and collapse of a tanker just before 10:15am today. The fire and ambulance services also attended.

Fortunately, the Environment Agency was able to control pollution from the explosion.

“We have responded to the slurry pollution from the anaerobic digester at the Colwick site. The pollution has been contained and the clear up is now underway,” an Environment Agency spokesman told ITV News.

The Health and Safety Executive is currently investigating the incident at the Bio Dynamic plant.

ITV News reports that a large upright blue cylinder exploded at the AD facility. Soon after police had cordoned off the area, the slurry leak was discovered.

In a statement issued on the day of the incident, a Bio Dynamic spokesman said: “Unfortunately today there was an accident at our AD facility in Colwick in Nottingham. Two of our friends and colleagues have been injured and our main focus and concerns are with them.

“The accident was not as a result of any failure in the normal operation of our plant and we are now working with the HSE to understand how this incident occurred,” the statement continued.

“Following liaison with the Environment Agency we can confirm there has been no harm to the local environment.”