Blast at UK chemical plant, one treated for shock

LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) British firefighters and rescue workers rushed early today to the scene of an explosion at a chemical plant in northern England, where one person was treated for shock, police said.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said in a recorded statement that the explosion had taken place shortly after midnight at the Terra Nitrogen (UK) Limited ammonia plant at Billingham. The plant had previously been owned by Imperial Chemical Industries Plc.

Roads were closed and residents in the area were advised to stay at home with windows shut as a precaution, although the fire brigade believed there were ''no off site implications at this time,'' the police spokesman said.

At least 11 fire trucks, two emergency rescue teams and an environmental unit were dispatched to the scene after the incident was reported just after midnight (0430 HRS IST yesterday), a fire brigade spokeswoman said.

The explosion was caused by a release of ammonia gas which was immediately ignited, a fire brigade spokesman said. The fire was later brought under control, Sky TV reported.

The company was not immediately available for comment.

Eyewitness Les Gunn, who said he lived several miles away, told BBC television by telephone that he had been awakened by two explosions, the second one ''absolutely huge ... There was a great big ball of flame.'' REUTERS AD VC1255