Steelworker badly burned in gas blast

The Health and Safety Executive and South Yorkshire Police are carrying out a joint investigation into the incident.

The 39-year-old worker, who has not yet been named, is being treated in a specialist burns unit in Wakefield, where his condition is described as ‘stable’.

Professor Graham Honeyman, chief executive at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “At about 3.45pm on August 9 a maintenance team employee received burns after an incident involving a gas explosion which was quickly brought under control.

“The man was treated for serious injuries by Forgemasters’ medical staff and an ambulance crew.

“He was subsequently taken to the Northern General Hospital and later transferred to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.”

He added: “The incident was very localised, away from production areas.”

The investigation continues.