Hunt for missing man after refinery blast starts blaze

The blast at Lindsey Oil Refinery, at North Killingholme, came in a distillation unit just before noon yesterday.

Two people were treated for minor injuries but it later emerged that a 24-year-old contractor working on the site remained unaccounted for. His family has been informed.

The blaze was quickly contained by fire crews from the plant, together with colleagues from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service. But they were last night unable to enter the site of the fire, where the man was believed to be working, as they battled to extinguish the flames.

At its height, orange flames leapt into the air and a large pall of black smoke billowed across the Humber, visible for miles around.

Residents living nearby were advised to close windows and doors and children at a primary school were kept inside until the all-clear was given.

Workers at part of the plant were told to go home for the day while an investigation began.

A spokesman for the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said it would be some time before the area where the missing man was working could be searched.

The refinery is run by oil company Total, which set up a helpline for people with relatives working at the site.

One worker leaving the refinery was asked to describe the incident and simply said "scary".

In a statement, the company confirmed that the fire had started after a "small explosion".

It added: "The refinery emergency plan has been put into operation. The county emergency services are at the scene assisting the refinery's emergency response team."

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said a police helicopter was drafted in to help in the operation involving ambulance crews and fire crews.