(Updated) BREAKING NEWS: Massive Series of Explosions rock Southern England

Sky News UK ^ | December 11, 2005

[Big Bad Bob]

Reports of up to Four Explosions at a fuel depot Near Hemel Hempstead, North West of London, according to Sky

__________________

Update:

Explosion Near London


The first picture, taken by a Sky News viewer

Map of the area

Updated: 06:41, Sunday December 11, 2005

There has been a large explosion followed by two smaller blasts in the St Albans area, around 25 miles north of London.

Sky Correspondent Sky Meade has said he can see flames about 200ft in the sky and there appears to be burning fuel.

Speaking by telephone from his home, Meade described "burning tongues" of flames in the sky.

The first blast happened at 6.03am - the other explosions followed about 20 minutes later.

Meade, a seasoned war reporter said he can see what looks like "burning aviation fuel".

"This fire is extremely intense. It is a bright orange glow on the horizon," he said.

Witnesses have told Sky News they heard the blast near Junction 8 of the M1. It is thought to be centred around Bunsfield fuel depot, near Hemel Hempstead.

The blast was felt at Sky Centre - more than 20 miles away in west London.

It was so powerful it blew out the windows at a hotel in Hemel Hempstead. There are reports of injuries there.

And one witness has told how the explosion shook his mother's house and lifted the roof.

Witnesses have told Sky News that emergency services are converging on the area.

Sky News producer Anwar Tambe heard the blast from his home in Luton and is currently stuck in traffic on the M1.

He said blasts are "going off regularly" and debris has blown onto the motorway.

More follows...

[onyx]

What channel is that? I do not watch CNN.

[carl in alaska]

This report generally fits in with those recent (approx. 3 months ago) AQ statements threatening to destroy the infrastructure of the western world. Of course, AQ is always threatening to destroy the West.

[DrGunsforHands]

Ah, that's what I was thinking it was. Not thinking terrorism. These things just seem to have a nasty habit of blowing up every once in a while. Then again, I've always wondered why terrorists have never gone after these sorts of things. Or those massive propane tanks at propane filling stations. They seem extremely vulnerable. Those bins of bbq grill propane tanks too. Ram a car into one and you could take out an entire Lowes or HD, like what happened on King of the Hill(propane blowing up a warehouse store, not terrorism) . Really makes me worry.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Before we assume the appropriate demeanor, a vanity question--Is there an official FR number regarding the number of stories broken on FR before it hit the media outlets?

Bet it is a big number.

Appropriate demeanor assumed.

[HitmanLV]

Who you gunna call?

Ghostbusters!!!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

I knew a blind guy who got a degree in computer science, so why not?

[Big Bad Bob]

I've just seen some pictures of the flames...

Not looking good.

[BunnySlippers]

I would imagine Fox and CNN are scrambling tio find a five person to put in front of the camera. It's a weekend.

[mfccinsd]

Not that this helps you now that you left us...but KFMB (local 8 back here in SD) just did a breaking news alert as the news started and it sounded like they intend to say more later in the broadcast once they found out more...showed still images.

Nothing on any of the other stations or cable that I can find here.

[HitmanLV]

Who you gunna call?

Ghostbusters!!!!!

[COEXERJ145]

Those bins of bbq grill propane tanks too. Ram a car into one and you could take out an entire Lowes or HD...

Most likely wouldn't go BOOM or if it did, you'd get a fireball and blow out any glass windows & doors. You wouldn't bring down a building that way.

[scott7278]

This is like turning to the Weather Channel during bad weather and finding a stupid episode of Storm Stories.

The Beltway Boys? Come on!

[tcrlaf]

2AM on a Sunday Morning.. No one their to make the call, and I doubt the Security guy knows how to operate the camera....

[ncountylee]

Nothing on Aljazeera, yet.

[onyx]

OK, news 8 is a cBS affiliate. I'll check my local channel.

[Termite_Commander]

I share your hatred of Storm Stories.

[beaver fever]

"You know, we need to invent something that would keep us refreshed on FR without sitting in front of the computer"

How about a blink refresh interface so I can eat without getting my mouse greasy.

There ain't nothing greasier than greasy mouse.

[MJY1288]

LOL, Many a mornings, as I drive to work, I curse FR for it's addictive qualities that causes me to ignore my need for sleep, in exchange for being immediately informed of Breaking News!

[onyx]

Worse yet, a REPLAY of the Beltway Boys. Sheeeeeeeeeeesh.

[KittyKares]

we don't know yet if anyone was injured

The BBC web site has one line stating that police are reporting casualties.