Man airlifted to hospital after Peterborough fireworks factory explosion

The explosion happened at 11am today (Tuesday) at the Le Maitre factory in Fourth Drove, Fengate.

The cause of the explosion has not been confirmed, but a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance said: “One patient has been taken to hospital by air ambulance with severe burns.”

The bomb disposal team from RAF Wittering has also been called to attend the factory.

A spokesman said: “The 5131 Bomb Disposal team have been called to Fourth Drove.

“Their role is to make the scene safe while police and the Health and Safety Executive carry out their investigations.”

Emergency services remain on the scene this afternoon.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue service said: “Firefighters arrived to find a fire in an industrial unit, with smoke issuing from roof, following an explosion. Wearing breathing apparatus they extinguished the fire using a hose reel.

“The building was evacuated when crews arrived at the scene. Two casualties required treatment at the scene for burns and were left in the care of ambulance crews.

“The crews returned to their stations by 1.15pm.

“A multi-agency investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the fire.”

The cause of the explosion has not been identified, but police said it was not suspicious.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said; “HSE is aware and making initial enquiries with the emergency services.”

A worker was killed in a previous incident at Le Maitre in 1990.

Michael Darroch, 27, was packing a giant firework with a mixture of gunpowder and titanium when it blew up, killing him instantly.

The company admitted at Peterborough Crown Court to failing to ensure the safety of an employee and was fined £15,000.

The court was told Le Maitre had been fined £2,000 after a separate accident in 1988, in which another employee died while fitting fuses to display fireworks.

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted Le Maitre for comment about today’s incident.