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Ex-Redcar steelworks building demolished in explosion

Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks Two men look at remains of buildingTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
Thursday's demolition marked a change of the landscape, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said

The remainder of a factory at a former steelworks has been destroyed in a controlled explosion.

About 8,500 tonnes of steel was brought down as one of the last parts of the Sinter Plant at the former Redcar Steelwork was cleared on Thursday.

The plant's former manager Kevin Mcelvany pressed the button to trigger the explosion, which brought down about 60% of the overall structure.

Only a gas stack and two supporting structures remain.

The initial phase of demolition was carried out on 16 June, bringing down the bunker bay and first part of the screenhouse.

The remainder of the screenhouse was brought down on Thursday as part of the Teesworks development, which will see the former steelworks site repurposed for other industrial use.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the demolition marked "another major change to the Teesworks landscape".

Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks A man looks at the building before its demolitionTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
The Sinter Plant was part of the Redcar steelworks which closed in 2015
Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks Close up of the enormous building, which has a corrugated metal shellTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
The building stood about 160ft (50m) high
Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks Dust exploding from bottom of buildingTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
The explosion was carried at at 19:00 BST on Thursday
Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks Building starts to fallTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
About 8,500 tonnes of steel came crashing down
Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks The building in mid collapse with plumes of smoke and dust risingTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
The plant was used as part of the steel-making process
Tees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks A tall chimney and two metal structures stand next to the collapsed buildingTees Valley Combined Authority/Tom Banks
Only a gas stack and two supporting structures remained
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