A huge fireball has been seen in Oxfordshire after reports of an “explosion” in the area.
The mystery bang was reported earlier this evening, with people sharing footage of the fire on social media.
Sky News understands the incident centres around a Severn Trent Water facility.
A witness told the Oxford Mail they saw a “strange pulsing sky out of our windows looking northwest of Oxford”.
“I’m guessing it’s a fire caused by the lightning storm that passed over,” the witness added.
The fireball was seen northwest of Oxford. Pic: @knocker
One person wrote on social media: “Anybody else in Oxford just see that fireball?”, adding there had been a “loud explosion”.
Another person added: “So strange, sky was pulsating.”
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain has been issued by the Met Office over Oxfordshire.
Stuart Reid wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Lightning strike near Oxford (A34). Struck something that burst in to flames.”
Flames lit up the night sky. Pic: Lenny
Witnesses said the fireball came after a lightning strike. Pic: @Brand_Stu_Dad
Ana Cavey, who lives in Somerton, about 15 miles north of Oxford, told Sky News: “We’ve had the most unbelievable thunder and lightning storm ever… it came out of nowhere and the noise was incredible.
“A lightning strike hit right outside my house and it was deafening. It was terrifying. Awful.
“Our power has just come back on but we’ve been without power all evening until now.”
Joshua Bull wrote on X: “Definitely some kind of explosion – sounds like it’s out near Yarnton? Must have been huge, I’m in Marston and thought it was a car crashing outside my flat.”
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain has been issued. Pic: Met Office
Mahmet Ciftci also posted on X: “Just saw something here in Kidlington that looked like an explosion in the distance. We heard a rumble like thunder and saw flames in the distance. The horizon went orange for a while.”
Sky News has contacted emergency services in the area for further details.
In March, a sonic boom was reported across central England – including Oxford.
It was initially treated as a mystery before Essex police explained it had been caused by two RAF jets escorting a plane.
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