Explosion destroys huge gas tank

Swirling flames and thick black smoke erupted from a blazing ethanol tank in Sydney after an explosion set it alight, sparking evacuations but injuring only one person, firefighters said.

The two million gallon ethanol tank was still blazing late in the afternoon as firefighters doused it in foam designed to choke the flames.

The spectacular inferno started in an industrial area of Port Kembla, a port 40 miles south of Sydney, spokesman Robert Comberford said.

Police said they did not suspect foul play, but they would be investigating the cause of the explosion.

The depot’s owner said the company would start its own inquiries once the area was secure.

“We do not know the cause of the incident at this stage, however a thorough investigation will be carried out as soon as it is safe to enter the site,” Manildra Park Petroleum said in a statement.

A 56-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital with minor burns and injuries and was in stable condition.