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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 04:34 AM by Britguy
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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.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 04:35 AM by 0951
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Originally posted by djohnsto77
Very little info here in the U.S. on TV, even on CNN International (which I get but probably most Americans don't) ... any more word on the plane
crash reports?

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).
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 04:36 AM by hands
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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.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 04:36 AM by djohnsto77
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They just said on CNNI that it was definitely an accident -- no aircraft involved.
[edit on 12/11/2005 by djohnsto77]
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 04:55 AM by Riwka
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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?
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:07 AM by asala
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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]
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:20 AM by Britguy
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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
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:23 AM by asala
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yep same here brit,
best to not breath this stuff in till it thins out a little
[edit on 11-12-2005 by asala]
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:25 AM by hands
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Originally posted by Riwka
Do they already know how the accident happened? 
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.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:28 AM by Britguy
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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.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:31 AM by Britguy
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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.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 05:40 AM by asala
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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]
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 06:03 AM by iamian
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Originally posted by asala
best to not breath this stuff in till it thins out a little

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
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 06:41 AM by asala
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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]
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 06:49 AM by hands
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The BBC is showing some dramatic arial shots from their helicopter.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 07:14 AM by perspicientia
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Seems the french and dutch are reported to of heard this explosion too.
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 07:25 AM by Britguy
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Wouldn't be surprised that so many people far from the explosion heard it.
I am 2 miles away and it was horrendous
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 07:41 AM by DJDOHBOY
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 07:43 AM by DJDOHBOY
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reply posted on 11-12-2005 @ 08:00 AM by 12m8keall2c
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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
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