LONDON - A fire has been put under control after an explosion took place at an aircraft hangar on the north side of London Southend Airport in Essex on Wednesday, fire fighters and rescue staff said here.

Normal operations are still going on at the airport, they said.

Earlier on Wednesday, a column of black smoke was seen rising from the scene in the wake of the blast. No aircraft was at the hangar at the time, they said.

Local media reported the explosion happened near the airport, but gave no further details.