A COMMUNITY has been left in shock following an explosion at a popular town brewery, which has left a man with severe injuries.

At 2:50pm on Monday, May 13, police were contacted by the ambulance service (NWAS) who had received a report of 'an explosion at a brewing facility' at the Tractor Shed Brewery, off Calva Brow in Workington.

Multiple residents in the nearby village of Seaton reported hearing a loud bang, followed by sirens with Calva Brow being closed for a period of time and multiple emergency teams on scene throughout the afternoon.

Police said there was believed to be a single injured man who has suffered serious burns.

The business, named Tractor Shed, is a brewery that creates Cumbrian craft beer released a statement on Monday expressing their 'deep distress' at the incident.

A spokesman for the Tractor Shed Brewery said: "Today has been a deeply distressing day for us all at Tractor Shed Brewing.

"There was an accident and one of our employees was badly injured. All our thoughts are with him at the moment.

"Thankyou for your kind wishes and messages of support. We ask you to give us time to process everything and to allow the authorities to conduct their investigation.

"We will update you all when appropriate."

A spokesperson from Cumbria police said today, May 14 that the man remains in a 'critical condition' in hospital.

They added that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and they are jointly working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Health and Safety Executive have said that an investigation has not yet been opened into the incident, but enquiries are taking place.

A HSE spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and making enquiries.”

Mark Jenkinson MP said: “Like many residents of Seaton, I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn about this incident.

“My thoughts are with the employee who has been badly injured – and with his friends, family, and colleagues.

“I would also like to praise the North West Ambulance Service, the Police, and fire service who were called out to the Tractor Shed on Monday afternoon to deal with this awful incident.

“At present, it would be prudent to give the authorities time to conduct their investigation. I feel it is best not to speculate on what happened: that is for the experts to determine.

“I have every faith that the big-hearted people of West Cumbria will pull together in the months ahead to offer whatever support they can.  I will also do whatever I can to help.”