Explosion at Salisbury military hardware factory leaves one dead

The explosion happened on Friday afternoon at the military hardware plant

One person has been killed and another seriously injured in an explosion at a military hardware factory.

A fire broke out in a building where flares are made at the Chemring Countermeasures plant in High Post, Salisbury, on Friday evening.

Wiltshire Police said a 29-year-old man from Southampton died at the scene and a second man was taken to hospital.

A spokesman said the fire had been contained and there was no risk to people living in the local area.

Wiltshire Police said the man's family had been informed but formal identification had not yet taken place.

The force said the second man, a 26-year-old from Pewsey, Wiltshire, was in a serious but stable condition at Salisbury District Hospital.

Earlier, police said an initial fire on the site, which makes flares, chaff, and decoys for use on aircraft and ships, had been extinguished.

Cordon in place

The company said manufacturing operations there had been suspended until further notice.

Chemring Group business director Andy Hogben said: "The site was immediately evacuated and the incident brought under control. Chemring has launched an investigation into the cause.

"The thoughts and support of Chemring Group are with the families at this time."

Wiltshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Six fire crews, the ambulance service and police all attended the blaze at about 17:00 BST.

Det Insp Simon Pope said: "We are working closely with the Health and Safety Executive on this investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and our inquiries will be continuing at the site today.

"A cordon remains in place at the site while investigators carry out their enquiries.

"We would like to reassure the public that this incident was contained as soon as possible and there is no risk to those living in the local area."