Explosion at Mundells industrial site, Hertfordshire

A man has been killed in an explosion at an industrial site in Hertfordshire.

Emergency services were called to Mundells, an area near Welwyn Garden City, shortly after 3pm on Wednesday after an argon cylinder exploded inside a building still under construction.

Six other men were injured by the blast and are receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Howlands, Herts. One is in a critical condition, one is seriously hurt and four are being treated for minor injuries.

Police have contacted the family of the man who died and are expected to name him and release further details. The site remains closed for investigations.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the site had been run by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, but was being renovated or converted.

He added: "Because it involves work activities and there has been a death, there must be a joint investigation between ourselves and the police.

"HSE would look at the provisions of Health and Safety law. If there's a role that our inspectors can play to make sure this situation doesn't escalate, we'll send people in."

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