A man has died and another left in a critical condition after a fire broke out following an explosion at a military hardware factory on Friday 10 August.

The blast at the Chemring Countermeasures plant in High Post, Salisbury, happened in a flare manufacturing part of the facility. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this point in time.

Wiltshire Police have confirmed a 29-year-old man from Southampton was killed in the explosion, although a formal identification is yet to take place. Another man, a 26-year-old from Pewsey, Wiltshire, was seriously injured and taken to Salisbury Hospital. He was last reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

No one should be concerned for their safety or indeed their life when they enter their place of work and everyone should be able to return safely to their families when their working day is done.

Samantha Hemsley of Thompsons Solicitors

The police have stated no further threat to the public is expected from the explosion, and an investigation is underway by the force and the Health and Safety Executive to determine the cause of the fire.

Samantha Hemsley, Thompsons Solicitors’ national head of the serious injury and clinical negligence team, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has lost his life in this tragic accident and we also wish for a swift recovery for the man who has been seriously injured.

“Once again at a time of danger to the public, we can all be thankful to the emergency services who worked to contain the incident as soon as possible. Without their hard work, there is every possibility that the incident could have been even worse.

“The report from the Health and Safety Executive on the cause of this fire will hopefully suggest immediate steps to be taken to ensure this type of horrific incident never happens again. No one should be concerned for their safety or indeed their life when they enter their place of work and everyone should be able to return safely to their families when their working day is done.”