(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

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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...

[TShaunK]

And the girl in Aruba is still missing.

[sageb1]

"Ah yes, but isn't Sky News in Britain a sister of FNC?"

And with a 5% share owned by Saudi Prince al-Walid, no less!

[msnimje]

What about the plane story from earlier? Is it possible planes were flown into the fuel tanks?

[WVNan]

Hi, I'm nan and I backslid again. I hit that refresh button one more time. I know better, but there it was, staring at me from the tool bar. I couldn't help myself. Sleep, I need sleep. God be with the Brits.

[mfccinsd]

I know we get CNN Int'l in half an hour...but on a strange channel here (not either of our CNN or CNNhn ones)...hopefully then at least we'll get something live in more of the US...since I'd imagine it airs nationally? And at least THEY will be awake.

I guess all the cable station folks were tired and beat us all to bed, leaving US to do THEIR jobs and cover the news!

[Cindy]

Thank you Lancey Howard.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

A blind guy with a degree in computer science?

See what happens when nerds don't listen to their mothers? : )

[metmom]

I don't remember the order too clearly but IIRC it seemed to be at the same time.

[onyx]

Lord have mercy. THAT is news to me!

[doug from upland]

Hi, Old Sarge. Have you assassinated a radio yet?

[oceanview]

oh my, could they have crashed a plane into the oil terminal?

[papertyger]

I've GOT to get to bed. At least tomorrow....er... today is Sunday.

GET BACK HERE YOU SISSY!

[onyx]

The print releases make no mention of possible terrorism. Could that be why there's no tv coverage? I mean, has terrorism been ruled out?

[sageb1]

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

I just turn it on sometimes so I can fall asleep to the music. :)

[msnimje]

Probabaly true. Bill O'Reilly will have to get them to lower the price again like he did after Katrina.

[doug from upland]

They could have. Someone said earlier that they heard a plane, and it sounded funny. If it was a plane, it could have been a plane in trouble and an accidental crash.

[Slings and Arrows]

So it's either Muslims or the Irish.

Police are on the lookout for a man named Muhammad O'Reilly

[TShaunK]

Hopefully they bailed out safley and were incarcerated in time for prayer.

[SoCalPol]

Don't these TV stations realize we're like the big plant in Little Shop of Horrors?

Ain't that the truth!