Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eight people have been injured in an explosion at an industrial estate.
Witnesses described hearing a loud bang on the Hobbs Industrial Estate in Newchapel, near Lingfield, Surrey, before a large fire broke out. Last night, firefighters were still battling to control the blaze. A spokesman for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance said they were called just after 11.20am.
The casualties were taken to three hospitals; two people were transported by air ambulance. A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said victims' injuries ranged from "less serious to far more serious". The emergency services have also urged anyone living near the site to close their windows and asked the public to stay away from the area.
An insurance assessor at the scene, who declined to be named, said the premises where the fire broke out belong to a firm called eReco EMEA, which deals with IT and electrical recycling.
One engineer, who was working nearby, said: "There was a massive, massive bang, with a little after-bang but that was it. Then a few minutes after, smoke started to appear."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments