| Time | 11:20 GMT |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 December 2020 |
| Venue | Bristol Bioresources and Renewable Energy Park |
| Location | Avonmouth, Bristol, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51.51264°N 2.67641°W |
| Reported deaths | 4 |
| Reported injuries | 1 |
On 3 December 2020, at about 11:20 GMT, a silo containing biosolids exploded in Avonmouth, Bristol, UK, killing four men, including a 16-year old apprentice,[1] and injuring another person.[2] Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident,[3][2] the Hazardous Area Response Team from Bristol and a doctor and specialist paramedic in critical care from the nearby Great Western Air Ambulance headquarters attended the incident by both their rapid response car and emergency helicopter.[4][3]
The sewage treatment and food waste site is operated by GENeco,[5] a subsidiary of Wessex Water.[3][6] Its products include biomethane produced by anaerobic digestion, which is supplied to bus operators, among them Bristol Community Transport who operate one of the MetroBus routes.[7][5]
Unconfirmed evidence obtained by The Bristol Cable suggests the men were using angle grinders on the top of a silo where methane could have accumulated, without adequate controls to prevent ignition.[8]
The official investigation was closed in July 2024[9] due to "insufficient evidence" for a manslaughter conviction.
References
- ^ "Avonmouth explosion: Boy, 16, among four workers killed". BBC News. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ Morris, Steven (3 December 2020). "Four dead after explosion at Avonmouth water plant in Bristol". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Avonmouth explosion: Four dead in Bristol water works blast". BBC News. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Great Western Air Ambulance crew responds to major Avonmouth incident". Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Biomethane bus refuelling station builds on the legacy of the Bio-Bus". GENeco. 2019-07-18. Archived 30 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- ^ "GENeco Limited – Annual Report and Financial Statements". Companies House. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Bristol Community Transport unveiled as Metrobus m1 operator". HCT Group. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018.
- ^ "New details revealed about fatal Avonmouth explosion at Wessex Water plant". The Bristol Cable. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- ^ "Avonmouth explosion: 'Insufficient evidence' for manslaughter conviction". BBC News. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2025-04-01.