Massive Explosion Rocks Salisbury Defence Plant
An explosion tore through the Chemring Counter Measures site near Salisbury last night, triggering a huge emergency response. The blast hit the sprawling 100-acre facility at around 5.30pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Emergency Crews Scramble to the Scene
The Netton site employs over 400 staff and specialises in advanced decoy flares designed to protect aircraft and ships from missile attacks. Firefighters, police, and ambulance crews rushed to the location after the blast, creating a major emergency operation.
Wiltshire Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue, and the South West Ambulance Service were called in but have yet to put out an official statement about the incident.
Investigation Launched Into Blast
Wiltshire Police confirmed they are leading the investigation with support from the Health and Safety Executive. Chemring is the UK’s sole producer of cutting-edge expendable countermeasures, including infrared and radio frequency decoys used by military air and sea forces.
A Chemring spokesman said: “I confirm that an incident occurred at our facility near Salisbury earlier this evening. All our safety systems operated as expected and there were no injuries to any of our personnel. Emergency services attended as a precaution and have since left the scene. A full investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.”
