A firefighter was killed and three people were injured, one seriously, last night when a chemicals factory in southern Germany exploded.
The explosion tore through the Petrochemie factory in Muenchmuenster around 7.15pm Irish time sparking a fire which spewed clouds of potentially dangerous smoke.
The fire appeared to have started in a building belonging to engineering firm ThyssenKrupp located near several chemical companies.
Local residents were asked to close their windows and stay indoors as firemen put out the blaze.
After two hours they brought the fire under control.
