Nine injured in burger van blast at Great Yorkshire Showground

Several hundred people were enjoying the National Pony Society’s summer show at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground when a burger van near the main arena burst into flames.

Witnesses said there was a very loud bang then flames as terrified spectators ran for safety. Five people were taken to hospital suffering from burns and scalds.

Their injuries were described as “minor” by a spokeswoman for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service which sent three ambulances to the scene. A further four were treated at the scene.

One witness said: “There was one explosion and people went to help when there was a second explosion.

“Two gas canisters went up. It was a massive bang and then there were flames coming from the front and then the back of the burger van.

“There was lots of smoke. We had just got out of the way when there was a second explosion. I think quite a lot of people were queueing for the burger van at the time.

“People were making their way to the toilets with burns to their hands and head.”

A fire service spokesman said that two 19kg propane cylinders had been involved in the fire. A National Pony Society spokeswoman said: “I think for those stood there it was a pretty scary moment.”