An impressive column of fire appeared north of the city of Oxford, in England, shortly after an explosion at the site of a waste management company.

A huge fireball was observed this Monday, October 2, in the county of Oxford, in the United Kingdom, shortly after an explosion occurred in the region, several Anglo-Saxon media reports, including News from heaven.

Several images circulated on social networks and testimonies multiplied about this column of fire that appeared northwest of the city of Oxford.

A waste management center struck by lightning

According to the local tabloid Oxford PostThe fire occurred at the facilities of a waste management company, near the town of Yarnton. “This afternoon, lightning struck a digester at our Cassington plant, near Yarnton, Oxfordshire, causing an explosion in our biogas tanks,” the company confirmed on its Facebook account that evening.

“Thankfully no one was injured,” added Severn Trent Power, “we are working with the emergency services to ensure the safety of the scene and assess the extent of the damage as quickly as possible.”

The Met Office, the British meteorological agency, issued this Monday afternoon and until Tuesday at 2 a.m. a yellow level alert for thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Thames Valley Police have confirmed officers are at the scene. The authorities, who have not issued an evacuation order, have invited residents to stay at home and close their windows for the next few hours.