NEWS: Explosion Heard Near Fuel Depot in Hemel Hempstead, England

I got to within about 3/4 mile from the depot this morning by around 06:20.

Looking down the road towards the depot, from the main road through the industrial estate, all you could see was a wall of fire with the flames visible above other buildings. Some of the bursts of flame were reaching several hundred feet in height. There were also a further two large explosions and several smaller ones, like cylinders cooking off, whilst I was there.

I haven't seen any shots from the air yet on any of the news channels but they will give a better impression of the scope of this disaster.

Nothing in the press briefing.

I guess that part of the story may have come from the storage facitlity being close to Luton airport, and 'someone' saying something along the lines of

"I heard an explosion, I thought it must have been a plane crashing [at the airport]". The inference then being drawn that it might have been a plane that hit the terminal.

The Police and Fire service did not speculate on the source (which is fair enough at this stage I'd say).

A spokesman from the Petrol Retailers Association has said that there should be no effect on supplies or prices because of this due to contingency plans being in place.

They just said on CNNI that it was definitely an accident -- no aircraft involved.

[edit on 12/11/2005 by djohnsto77]

Thanks DJ.

No terror attack - that is the good news on this horrible accident.
May the wounded have a speedy recovery.

Do they already know how the accident happened?

Geez, well i live not far from this and felt the major boom, The smoke is everywhere,

I though it was an earthquake, as my windows are all open,

Just to warn others who live near,

They are expecting possible more explosions,

Thank goodness this was not monday morning! this could have been a heck of alot worse

[edit on 11-12-2005 by asala]

I just saw a satellite image on the BBC site and the smoke plume is huge and spreading to the east. Being 2 miles away I get a good view of the smoke rising and it aint pretty

yep same here brit,


best to not breath this stuff in till it thins out a little


[edit on 11-12-2005 by asala]

There has been some discussion about it being related to a petrol vapor build up but that is just one theory. However, an eye witness interviewed by the BBC said that just before the explosion, he was inside a nearby building and was just about to remark about the heavy fuel smell in the air when he was lifted off his feet.

At least the wind has swung around and is now taking it to the east of us. Of course, it now means that people out that way are gonna be affected too. Up until a couple of years ago I was part of a corporate safety & security team working in a building that backed onto the depot.
In a way it's a miracle that this didn't happen on a weekday when there would have been several thousand people working in the immediate area, adjacent to the blast site.

The guy interviewed was working in my old building. I can remember many times, whilst working into the early hours of the morning, stepping outside for some air and the atmosphere being heavy with petrol fumes.

I used to wonder what the impact would be if there was ever an explosion there and now I am seeing it firsthand.

Some pics that have been caught on camera phone









Update, 2 of the people thought to have been seroisly injured are ok,

so thats 36 injured, and 2 seriously,

[edit on 11-12-2005 by asala]

People should get away from the area!
Gas oil is a lot like diesel fuel, which produces very fine particulates when burned, Diesel particulates are suspected to be a carcinogen for a long time. Long-term exposure would be a very significant health risk.

Why take any risks? go to your relatives or something.

All the best... ian

Just an update for those of us in the area,

The highway agency says sections of the M1 going to be closed for the rest of the day,



[edit on 11-12-2005 by asala]

The BBC is showing some dramatic arial shots from their helicopter.

Seems the french and dutch are reported to of heard this explosion too.

Wouldn't be surprised that so many people far from the explosion heard it.
I am 2 miles away and it was horrendous

Ive just gone down there with my camera and these are the pics that i have got for you


external image
external image
external image
external image
external image
external image
external image
external image
external image
external image
external image

This was as close as i could get to it

peace

djdohboy

Videos

Video 1 (3.8Mb)

Video 2 (4.8Mb)

Not that it lessens the impact or loss of life resulting from such a catastrophic event but, as mentioned in other posts, it could have been much worse had it happened on a workday/weekday.

BBC Images

I would also like extend my condolences to any/all who may have lost a loved one and to wish a speedy recovery for those injured as a result of the blast(s).

on a side note:
for the pics and vids DJDOHBOY

Peace2All