Explosion Rocks Chemical Plant

An explosion at a chemical plant in northwest England Monday caused no injuries but forced the closing of several schools and a portion of a major motorway.

A number of drums of chemicals exploded early in the morning at the Veolia Cleanaway plant that backs onto the M6 motorway in Lancashire, The Telegraph reports.

People living near the plant were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows closed while firefighters worked to contain the resulting blaze.

A major travel tie-up occurred after police closed a portion of the M6 in both directions as a precaution.

Both north and southbound lanes between junctions 31 and 32 were reopened by noon.

The cause of the explosions is being investigated.

Veolia Cleanaway is one of the largest collectors of waste in England and Wales.