
There has been a large explosion followed by several smaller blasts in the Hemel Hempstead area, around 25 miles north of London.
Sky Correspondent Meade has said he can see flames about 200ft in the sky and there appears to be burning fuel.
The blast appears to be centered close to the Bunsfield fuel depot near junction 8 of the M1 and was so powerful, it was felt more than 20 miles away.
Witnesses have said that buildings have been brought down, and the roofs of houses were lifted by the force.
REPORTS OF INJURIES
Windows were blown out at a hotel in Hemel Hempstead, where there are reports of injuries.
More news as soon as available …
Large explosions near fuel depot
A series of large explosions have taken place near Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire.
The first blast is thought to have happened at about 0600 GMT, near the Bunsfield oil depot, close to the junction 8 of the M1 motorway.
Residents in the area, which is 10 miles from Luton Airport, reported hearing a “loud boom” and seeing flames followed by smaller explosions.
One eye witness told BBC News: “There are lots of houses damaged.”
The Guardian :: Fuel depot hit by huge blasts
A black plume of smoke billows
from the Buncefield fuel terminal in
Leverstock Green, Herts, close to
Hemel Hempstead and Jct 8 of the M1.
Photo: Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA
≈ Cross-posted @ European Tribune —
BREAKING :: Explosions Fuel Depot in North London ≈
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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Any new info would be appreciated..I have so many friends in London…Awful story. I read somewhere a plane may be involved. thanks Oui
no indication that an airplane was involved…”toxic choking fumes” emitted by the fire. There are casualties but the people being interviewed on BBC TV don’t have any estimates as yet.
link to BBC TV front page
Nothing to suggest that a plane was involved in this accident–official police report. “But we are keeping an open mind…”
BBC TV has video at the link given above. Hope this helps.
Large explosion reported north of London: witnesses
That doesn’t look like a little explosion.
BBC reporting that up to 60 tanks of oil could be involved. “Significant fire….Ramada? Hotel has been evacuated, broken windows…” Eyewitness “low rumble then a big explosion…heard more explosions…flames are enormous…more flames, fire seems to be getting worse.”
BBC TV
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Fran’s Comments
The Guardian :: Fuel depot hit by huge blasts
A black plume of smoke billows
from the Buncefield fuel terminal in
Leverstock Green, Herts, close to
Hemel Hempstead and Jct 8 of the M1.
Photo: Richard Aylmer-Hall/PA
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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Oui, this diary is opening very slowly .. it hangs. Are there images linked from elsewhere, or a couple images that are large?
I have DSL so it should load fast, but it doesn’t.
And THANK YOU! for being on top of this story.
.
None are large images. At my location the diary opens instantly with adsl telephone line. Seems odd to me, however who can tell with technology …
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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.
Beautiful and extremely large size colored pencil or in watercolors portrait of Top Gun Vietnam Ace Duke Cunningham, every detail can be viewed.
That explains much … Susan I promise I’ll try to master posting images as you previously taught me the route to follow.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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has a live feed here. Follow the Listen Live link on the right.
If this burns for days, as is currently being said, the closure of the roads, especially the M1 (the main N/S route from London) could cause some real chaos this week.
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Sun Dec 11, 2005 at 02:10:51 AM PDT
“OK, so I was shaken out of bed at 6am by a petrol (‘gas’) depot exploding behind my house. No damage done, I think, but I’ve just spent 3 hours watching flames and now thick smoke + fireballs leap into the air.”
Plus comments from LondonYank and in a second diary –
Live Blog: Herts Police press conference
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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Think everyone will be glad to learn that there have been no deaths and only one person is reported to be sill in hospital with lung injuries.
The fire brigade reckon the fire is under control and should not spread to other tanks. The plume of smoke is reported to be heading towards Belgium.
Correction, the latest police statement is that 39 injured, TWO seriously and still in hospital.
OT:
An interview with Eugene McCarthy is on CSPAN2 now… from 2001.