Some of the conspiracy theories which have surfaced online in Russia claim the flash is the result of bomb-testing or martians Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2098164/Explosion-Russian-power-station-sparks-conspiracy-theories-Moscow.html#ixzz1lriLvXxg

The Russian web was ablaze with bizarre theories today at an extraordinary explosion seen by thousands of commuters in St Petersburg.

It must have seemed like the end of the world was nigh when motorists driving along this busy motorway saw a huge flash light up the night sky on the horizon.

So far, conspiracy theories of martians and bomb-testing have emerged to explain the astonishing sight. However, the reality was far less exciting.