TWO men working on the inside of a 200ft high steel chimney were killed when it exploded into a fireball.
The men were on a cradle dismantling the tower at Carnaud Metalbox Food UK in Chew Moor Lane, Westhoughton.
It is thought cutting equipment they were using ignited a build-up of flammable chemicals, thought to be paint or lacquer, coated on the inside of the chimney from ovens beneath.
The fireball ripped up the inside of the tower and spewed out from vents in the side as the men, both from Nottingham, were working half-way up.
Shocked witnesses said flames poured out 30 feet into the air.
More details later
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