The cause of the explosion which was heard across large parts of Oxfordshire has been explained by police. 

Thames Valley Police has confirmed officers have attended a fire at a waste plant in Cassington near Yarnton this evening (Monday, October 2).

A statement from the force released shortly after 9pm said: "Our officers are currently at the scene of a fire at a waste plant near Yarnton, Oxfordshire.

READ MORE: Live updates as reports of explosion near Oxford

"It is believed that lightning struck gas containers at the site during bad weather this evening, causing a large fire."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was also called to the incident at 7.17pm.

Oxford Mail: Thames Valley Police was called to the fire near Yarnton

Six fire engines, 40 fire and rescue personnel attended as well as an aerial appliance and water tanker. 

Fire and rescue operations are ongoing and a spokesman for the service said there would be no further updates this evening. 

A statement from Severn Trent Green Power released just after 8.30pm had earlier confirmed a digester truck had been struck by lightning around 7.20pm.

The statement said: "We can confirm that at around 7.20pm this evening, a digester tank at its Cassington AD facility near Yarnton, Oxfordshire, was struck by lightning resulting in the biogas within that tank igniting. 

"We are working with the emergency services to secure the site and will provide further comments in due course."