'Deeply distressing day' for brewery after explosion

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were called to the scene on Monday

A brewery has spoken of a "deeply distressing day" after one of its employees was airlifted to hospital following an explosion.

Emergency services were called to Tractor Shed Brewing in Workington, Cumbria, on Monday afternoon and Calva Brow was closed for several hours.

A post on the brewery's Facebook page said its staff's thoughts remained with the "badly injured" man.

Cumbria Police and the Health and Safety Executive confirmed they were investigating the circumstances of the incident.

The man remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Investigation

The brewery said on Facebook: "Today has been a deeply distressing day for us all at Tractor Shed Brewing.

"There was an accident and one of our employees was badly injured. All our thoughts are with him at the moment."

It thanked people for their "kind wishes" and "support".

"We ask you to give us time to process everything and to allow the authorities to conduct their investigation," it added.

Four fire engines from Workington, Whitehaven, Aspatria and Cockermouth were sent to the scene.

The fire service said: "The building has suffered significant damage in the explosion.

"Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has not carried out an investigation into the cause as the building is unsafe to enter."