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Man injured in oil tank explosion Man injured in oil tank explosion
(about 1 hour later)
One man has been injured following an explosion and fire involving two oil tanks at a Kent engineering company. One man has suffered minor injuries in an explosion and fire involving two oil tanks at a Kent engineering company.
The emergency services were called to the Kingsnorth Industrial Estate, on the Hoo peninsula, at 0930 BST.The emergency services were called to the Kingsnorth Industrial Estate, on the Hoo peninsula, at 0930 BST.
Kent Fire and Rescue said the fire had been surrounded and was under control. Witnesses have reported seeing huge flames rising into the air. Kent Fire and Rescue said the fire had been surrounded and was under control. Witnesses reported seeing huge flames rising into the air at its height.
The man, whose injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, has been taken to Medway Hospital. Nine staff were on the premises at the time of the explosion but everyone was accounted for.
An ambulance spokeswoman said she understood the injured man had beenengulfed by flames and blown off the exploding tanker but had suffered onlyminor burns and a possible fractured leg. An ambulance spokeswoman said she understood the injured man had been engulfed by flames and blown off the exploding tanker but had suffered only minor burns.
He was taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital for treatment.
Three tanksThree tanks
There were no other injuries in the blast, she said. There were no other injuries in the blast.
Police said the industrial estate had been evacuated and everyone at the engineering firm had been accounted for. Police said the industrial estate and businesses in the area had been evacuated and an exclusion zone put in place around the scene of the fire.
An exclusion zone has been put in place around the scene of the fire and businesses in the vicinity have been evacuated.
Householders living around the site have also been told to stay indoors with the windows closed as a precautionary measure.Householders living around the site have also been told to stay indoors with the windows closed as a precautionary measure.
Ch Insp Peter Wedlake, of Kent Police, said the smoke was unpleasant to breathe in, but it was not dangerous.
Kent Fire and Rescue said the explosion had involved three tanks - a water tank, and two tanks containing used engine oil.Kent Fire and Rescue said the explosion had involved three tanks - a water tank, and two tanks containing used engine oil.
Each is about 16ft (4.8m) in diameter and height.Each is about 16ft (4.8m) in diameter and height.
Spokesman Bill Feeley said when firefighters arrived at the scene they found 200,000 litres of heavy oil alight.
The fire service said one oil tank had ruptured, but had been surrounded by a bund wall (fixed installation to stop oil from spreading), while the second tank was being cooled.The fire service said one oil tank had ruptured, but had been surrounded by a bund wall (fixed installation to stop oil from spreading), while the second tank was being cooled.
BBC South East news reporter, Simon Jones, who is at the scene, said a huge amount of smoke from the incident was forming a blanket over the whole area. BBC South East news reporter, Simon Jones, who is at the scene, said at the height of the blaze a huge amount of smoke from the incident had formed a blanket over the whole area.
At least 15 fire appliances and support vehicles have been sent to the scene. Local resident, Sam Kitto, said she thought a plane had crashed when she heard the explosion.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. "I felt the ground moving as well," she added.
At least 15 fire appliances and support vehicles were sent to the scene.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.