A HUGE chemicals plant near Billingham on Teesside was rocked by large explosions that could be heard 20 miles away early this morning.

Residents living near the site of the blast reported seeing a vast ball of flame and hearing a deafening boom.

Les Gunn, who lives about four miles away from the plant, told BBC News 24 that he was woken by an “absolutely deafening” sound, followed by another bang.

“The second one was absolutely huge,” he said. “There was a huge ball of flame. I can only describe it as hearing Concorde going overhead.”

A woman who lives about 20 minutes away by car from the site was in her garden when she saw the reflection of the sky light up in a window. The next thing she heard was “a terrible roaring sound. I thought there must have been a terrorist attack”.

Joanne Twaits, from Billingham, who lives opposite the site in New Road, said: “There was a huge gush of fire and an astonishing thud. It woke my two young children and shook the house.”

The site, which was once part of ICI’s dominant industrial presence in the North East, is believed to produce ammonia-based products. It is occupied by a number of petrochemical and chemical companies.

One plant worker was treated for shock but there were no reports of other injuries. Roads around the site were sealed off.

Residents were advised to remain indoors and keep doors and windows closed.

Cleveland Fire and Rescue service later reported that the incident was under control.

Cleveland Police said: “Just after midnight an explosion occurred at an ammonia plant at a chemical complex in Billingham. The fire brigade has told us there are no off-site implications at this time but all roads in the area have been closed as a precaution.”

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