UPDATE: ‘Ground shaking’ blast leaves man seriously injured

The incident at J and R Gases off Brunswick Street happened approximately between 12-30pm to 12-45pm and it is understood the man has suffered a serious leg injury in the blast.

The air ambulance landed on Walverden Park and it is reported people nearby could feel the ground shake up to 200 yards away.

Police confirmed that a worker had suffered a serious injury and an investigation is now underway.

A member of staff from nearby Riggs Auto Pack said: “It was just a massive boom. It must have been a pressure vessel, it was just one big bang.

“The whole of our building felt it, even the guys on the machines in the middle of the building, and all the windows rattled.

“Everybody came out of our building wondering what on earth had gone off. It was pandemonium. We cleared part of the car park to allow the air ambulance to land but it landed on the park.”

Graham Hardman MD of next door business Build-A-Van said: “It was a terrific bang. I thought the wall was coming through. I was sat at my computer working and it made me jump.

“They’re really good guys next door and I just hope he’s ok.”