On Monday, a flash of lightning struck a UK food waste recycling plant, shooting a massive fireball into the night sky and knocking out power in the area.
“The strike caused an explosion in our biogas tanks”, stated Severn Trent Green Power, which operates the Cassington AD (anaerobic digestion) facility near Yarnton, just north of the city of Oxford.
Lightning strike near Oxford (A34). Struck something that burst in to flames. pic.twitter.com/mrZ4qxtbBd
— Stuart Tavendale (@StuartTavendale) October 2, 2023
“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”, the company reported.
Every year, the Cassington AD plant processes about 50,000 tonnes of solid and liquid waste from commercial food waste.
According to the company, which has a contract with the local administration, it generates 2.1 megawatts of electricity as well as bio-fertilizer.
The neighboring A40 main was blocked as a precaution, according to Thames Valley police, and local residents were asked to stay indoors and shut windows and doors.
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