Nickel factory workers fled as a fire ripped through a scrubber tower, injuring three people in Indonesia.

The blaze broke out following an explosion in the processing facility in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi province, on Sunday, October 12.

Officials said the blast was caused by welding activity on top of the tower, where sparks are believed to have ignited a fibreglass acid gas tank, triggering the fire at PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP).

Footage shows several workers stranded on top of the tower as thick smoke billows into the sky.

Some were seen dangling from the structure before being rescued with a crane.

Dedy Kurniawan, Head of Media Relations at PT IMIP, said: 'The fire was sparked by welding activity on top of the chimney. It's suspected that sparks from the welding torch hit the fibreglass tank below, igniting it.'

Authorities confirmed there were no fatalities, but at least three workers were injured. An investigation is ongoing.