UK
Huge fireball lights up sky after explosion in Oxfordshire
A huge fireball has been seen in Oxfordshire after an explosion in the area.
The large fire erupted after lightning struck a gas tank at a processing facility near Yarnton during a storm this evening.
In a statement, Severn Trent Green Power said: “This evening a digester tank at our Cassington facility near Yarnton, Oxfordshire has been struck by lightning which has caused an explosion in our biogas tanks.
“Thankfully no one has been hurt and we are working with the emergency services to make sure the site is safe so that we can assess the damage as soon as possible.”
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain has been issued by the Met Office over Oxfordshire until 2am.
Residents are being told to stay indoors and shut their windows. Police have also closed the A40 between Wolverton and Eynsham.
The fireball was seen northwest of Oxford. Pic: @knocker
The bang was reported earlier this evening, with people sharing footage of the fire on social media.
A witness told the Oxford Mail they saw a “strange pulsing sky out of our windows looking northwest of Oxford”.
“I’m guessing it’s a fire caused by the lightening storm that passed over,” the witness added.
One person wrote on social media: “Anybody else in Oxford just see that fireball?”, adding there had been a “loud explosion”.
Another person added: “So strange, sky was pulsating.”
Stuart Reid wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Lightning strike near Oxford (A34). Struck something that burst in to flames.”
Flames lit up the night sky. Pic: Lenny
Witnesses said the fireball came after a lightning strike. Pic: @Brand_Stu_Dad
Ana Cavey, who lives in Somerton, about 15 miles north of Oxford, told Sky News: “We’ve had the most unbelievable thunder and lightning storm ever… it came out of nowhere and the noise was incredible.
“A lightning strike hit right outside my house and it was deafening. It was terrifying. Awful.
“Our power has just come back on but we’ve been without power all evening until now.”
Joshua Bull wrote on X: “Definitely some kind of explosion – sounds like it’s out near Yarnton? Must have been huge, I’m in Marston and thought it was a car crashing outside my flat.”
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain has been issued. Pic: Met Office
Mahmet Ciftci also posted on X: “Just saw something here in Kidlington that looked like an explosion in the distance. We heard a rumble like thunder and saw flames in the distance. The horizon went orange for a while.”
In March, a sonic boom was reported across central England – including Oxford.
It was initially treated as a mystery before Essex police explained it had been caused by two RAF jets escorting a plane.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.