Explosion in the town of Marl Germany

One person was killed on Saturday in a chemical plant explosion in the western part of Germany. Earlier it had been reported that several people were injured.The incident occurred in the town of Marl in the western part of Germany.Police believe that a tank of flammable substances exploded.

The facility is engulfed in flames and more than 100 firefighters are struggling to contain the fire.

Rescue helicopters and ambulances are at the scene.It is unknown whether there was a release of hazardous substances into the environment but as a precaution local residents were advised to close all windows and doors.

Marl police confirmed a pressure vessel in the park blasted at 13:36 local time.
Three staff members were missing, police spokesman Michael Franz told media. He said one was injured, another spokesman said two had been confirmed injured.The firefighters were "fully engaged" and the flame was "locally limited," the police said.Accident in the park in the Ruhr industrial region sent up a giant gas cloud,  moved southward,spreading over a major east-west highway, the police said.
Franz said emergency crew had tested the cloud at the site and found no harmful content. Police have warned local residents to close windows and doors and stay inside buildings.There is no death report yet and the cause of the explosion is under investigation.