Stowmarket explosion: Two hurt in pub burger van blast - BBC News
A gas cylinder leaked and exploded near Stowmarket railway station, sending shards of glass in the air.
The explosion at a pub burger van sent glass flying out, leaving two people hurt

A pub burger van exploded near a train station and sent shards of glass into the air, injuring two people.

Emergency services received reports of the blast near Stowmarket railway station in Station Road, Suffolk, at about 20:20 BST on Saturday.

The victims were struck by flying glass from the catering unit and buildings after a gas cylinder leaked in the van area, Suffolk fire service said.

The nearby Kings Arms pub confirmed the van was in its car park.

The two people hurt were treated for minor injuries and one was taken to Ipswich Hospital, East of England Ambulance Service said.

The Kings Arms, which is next to Stowmarket railway station, confirmed the blast happened in its car park

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service group commander Wil Tel said: "There was a fair amount of glass that had been blown out from the burger van and nearby area which had affected the two persons who got the injuries.

"There was no fire and ultimately the gas cylinder was made safe."

Mr Tel said despite initial investigations the cause of the blast was unknown, but there was a "gas leak from a cylinder".

The fire service will be working with the owners and insurance companies, he added.

The roof of the burger van can be seen ripped off

It is understood the burger van had not been in use recently, with the previous tenants said to have left in June.

In a Facebook post, the Kings Arms, which is next to the train station, said the "gas canister exploded in the old burger van in the car park".

They added that "no-one was seriously injured... but a good friend did get quite a lot of glass hit him so he was taken to hospital".

The Kings Arms, on Prentice Road, is next to Stowmarket train station

Mr Tel urged people to be cautious when using gas cylinders and cooking outside in light of the recent spate of hot weather.

"Anyone who has gas cylinders needs to make sure they are stored in a cool and well-ventilated place," he said.

"If you are not using the area since Covid, then make sure you do check it on a regular basis."

Nearby buildings had to be evacuated and people were urged to avoid the area, while the station was closed for two hours.

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