This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Eight people have been injured in a blaze at an oil refinery in Bavaria, and another 1,800 people living close by were temporarily evacuated.

Police said the fire spread quickly after a loud explosion was heard early on Saturday in the southern German town of Vohburg an der Donau. A huge smoke cloud could be seen from miles away.

Residents were evacuated because of possibly toxic smoke. Air tests later showed it was safe for people to return to their homes.

The German news agency DPA reported all eight injured were Bayernoil refinery employees. It said 400 firefighters and police were on the ground to help extinguish the fire. Authorities said the cause of the explosion was not known.