'We saw a massive ball of fire'

Flames shot into the air following the explosions

A series of explosions have been reported at the former ICI chemical works in Billingham on Teesside.

Residents in the area have been emailing the BBC News website to describe what they experienced at the factory, which is now owned by Terra Nitrogen UK.

Scott Shave of Hartlepool said he was "terrified" after hearing what sounded like a sudden roar coming from the direction of the plant.

"(It was) like a really low aeroplane coming by, which I thought was coming down.

"I ran outside with my mother and we both saw the flashing lights, the roar was absolutely deafening. It became quieter after a few minutes, and you could smell burning, I was terrified," he said.

Claire and Lauren Harcourt said they were sitting in their kitchen in Billingham when the first explosion happened.

"We looked outside the window and saw a massive ball of fire. We thought it was thunder at first then realised it was ICI."

Another BBC News website reader, Sharon Enderwick, who has lived near the Billingham plant for about 40 years, said she had "never seen anything like it".

"I live within a mile radius and heard a loud explosion and when I looked out there was a huge ball of fire."

'Rotten egg smell'

She said she contacted police to find out what was happening and had prepared to leave her home.

"There has been little information given to residents living near by. For such a large and dangerous complex there should be emergency procedures," she said.

Nearby roads were closed for several hours as a precaution and the plant, which produces ammonia, was shut as a precaution.

Raymond Lee, who lives in Norton, said he could see helicopters and hear sirens "within minutes" of hearing the explosions.

He described a "very bright light" radiating from Billingham, and a "smell like rotten eggs".