Two hurt as blast blows black hole in Rotherham recycling plant

Police said the men were hurt when a waste incinerator exploded at Sterecycle, in Rotherham at 2.40pm today.

A spokesman said: "Two men have been taken to hospital following an industrial explosion at a business site on Sheffield Road, Rotherham, this afternoon.

"Emergency services were called to Sterecycle - a business close to Magna Science Adventure Centre - at 2.40pm today after a waste incinerator exploded creating a hole in the side of the factory and causing damage to parked cars across the road."

He said a 42-year-old Rotherham man was airlifted to Leeds General Hospital with what are described as life-threatening injuries.

A 50-year-old Barnsley man was taken to the Northern General Hospital, in Sheffield with serious, "potentially life-changing", head and body injuries.

The site is just off the the M1 and officers closed Sheffield Road from its junction with Bessemer Way to the motorway.

The spokesman added: "Investigators from South Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are currently at the scene with inquiries ongoing into the cause of the explosion."

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said four crews were sent to the scene and at least one of the injured men was brought out by firefighters.

He said the the crews had now been stood down.