(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...

[metmom]

As I recall, people who lived near the quarry (who also live near the airport cause that's where the quarry is, too) thought a plane had crashed down the street from them. It was just a matter of how close you were. Now that I remember, there was a major chemical plant explosion along the Niagara River in '72 that was much closer to us and it rattled the windows but also felt more like a jolt too. The strange thing is is that I felt it through the north window and my sister in the other room felt it through the west window. You could feel a sort of *pressure* for lack of better word, from the direction of the window you were near. It's been nearly 35 years and I can still remember how it felt. It was really weird.

[Canard]

"Casualties can include fatalities, but it usually means just injuries (Disclaimer: I think)."

Most likely it means that they haven't confirmed yet. Am watching Sky News and doesn't look like the emergency services have gained access to most of the site yet.

[Slings and Arrows]

I knew a blind guy who got a degree in computer science, so why not?
Call me when you find one with a degree in photo-journalism.

He's probably working for the Guardian.

[Cindy]

Adding to post no. 46

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4517962.stm

Last Updated: Sunday, 11 December 2005, 07:10 GMT

E-mail this to a friend Printable version
"Oil depot blasts cause casualties"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Three large explosions have taken place at an oil depot near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.
Police say there are casualties. They are at the scene, said a spokesman.

The first blast happened at 0603 GMT, at the Buncefield oil depot, close to the junction 8 of the M1 motorway 10 miles from Luton Airport.

Residents up to 30 miles from the scene reported hearing a "loud boom". One eye witness told BBC News: "There are lots of houses damaged."

Witnesses said another two explosions followed the first at 0626 GMT and 0627 GMT.

The M1 near the scene has been closed in both directions.

'House shook'

Eye witness Sam Matton, who lives half-a-mile from the depot told BBC News: "The sky is sort of orange. The flames have got to be 60ft up in the air.

"I was in bed, I was actually having a bad dream and I thought the world had ended.

"The loft hatch in my house has actually fallen out, my neighbour's window has actually broken from the impact.


I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere
Duncan Milligan

"There was a first major explosion and about three explosions after that."

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ON THE NET...

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d&q=+hemel&btnG=Search+News

http://www.thisislondon.com
http://www.bbcnews.com

[onyx]

Well, channel 8 in San Diego covered it a little.

I can;t find ANY coverage here... watching the replay of the Beltway Boys and channel surfing in the other window of the TV.

[Termite_Commander]

AND 05 IS HALF OF TEN AND SO YOU GET 12, 11, 10 AND THE NEXT NUMBER DOWN IS 9 WHICH RELATES TO 9/11 AND ALSO MAKES THE SEQUENCE 12, 11, 10, 9 WHICH HAS FOUR NUMBERS THAT WHEN ADDED TO THE 05 IN THE DATE GIVES YOU 11 WHICH AGAIN RELATES TO 9/11 CLEARLY SHOWING THIS IS TERRORISM!

[Americanwolf]

Hi Humi... Welcome we are all friends of jim here... :)


(Hi jim..no disrespect meant!)

[Diddle E. Squat]

Well, there's been a 9/11 and a 3/11 (Spain).

[Tunehead54]

I'm not a numerology nut but I would note that it is the 11th. TROP?

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:-(

[msnimje]

Here in Atlanta on Comcast it would be either 34 or 35 but I do not know about where you live. It may be the Headline News Channel rather than CNN proper.

Frankly, I am surprised they have not done so yet, they are usually pretty fast with breaking International news.

[TShaunK]

There you go.

[Big Bad Bob]

Someone just mentioned that the pressure would've been felt first followed by the actual sound.

[scott7278]

I share your hatred of Storm Stories.

I don't turn to The Weather Channel to watch a show about storms -- I watch it to get news.

The Beltway Boys has its place, but not during a breaking international news story.

[agooga]

"My dog's arthritis is acting up - it's that dammed ROP!"

See? Now you've got an answer to ALL your nagging troubles!

[onyx]

Oh yes, now I understnad the CNN you referrenced. I get that.
I'll have a look and monitor it too.

[doug from upland]

Yes, it is an addiction.

[DrGunsforHands]

It's halfway between 9/11 and 3/11(date of madrid bombings, correct?). And it's a Sunday. Maybe there's some sort plot to bomb on every Sunday up until Christmas Sunday, getting to a bigger population area each time. Also, didn't even realize it was a Sunday Christmas this year until I did this post:)

[pepperhead]

I have checked also and nothing on TV about this.

Weekend mode for them.

[Slings and Arrows]

"My dog's arthritis is acting up - it's that dammed ROP!"
See? Now you've got an answer to ALL your nagging troubles!

Oh, good - I was getting tired of blaming Bush.

[KittyKares]

I guess it covers both:

ca·su·al·ty (kăzh'ū-əl-tē) n., pl. -ties.

An accident, especially one involving serious injury or loss of life.

One injured or killed in an accident: a train wreck with many casualties.

One injured, killed, captured, or missing in action through engagement with an enemy. Often used in the plural: Battlefield casualties were high.

One that is harmed or eliminated as a result of an action or a circumstance: The corner grocery was a casualty of the expanding supermarkets.