(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...

[I_Love_My_Husband]

BBC says it's been 3 hours since it happened.

[msnimje]

I am watching the BBC on the Internet now and they have been covering this steadily.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Everyone was given talking points four years ago.

[GretchenM]

??????????????

[DAVEY CROCKETT]

welcome to FR

[msnimje]

Indeed, let's hope there were few workers there due to the early hour.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

That's chilling. I hope not.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

BBC says there are casualties per the police.

[shaggy eel]

,,, time to pass legislation ordering mosques to be built next to fuel facilities? It's no more outlandish than banning Bibles in Saudi.

[msnimje]

There are quite enough Mosques already.

[defenderSD]

What a waste of good petrol. With that 60 million gallons we could have run three NASCAR races here in the States...(lol).

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Before CNN cut away they showed some different camera angles. From the picture in post 427, it looked like at least all tanks on the left side of it are on fire.

[Gucho]

Live TV as well ...


Thank you Jenny.

[shaggy eel]

,,, quite right.

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4518026.stm

[I_Love_My_Husband]

BBC keeps reinforcing that they "believe" it's an accident because they allowed a gas cloud to escape which got out of hand and exploded.

I remain skeptical. For me, the Muslims are guilty unless shown to be innocent.

[JennysCool]

Someone upthread posted the link. I'm just the re-poster! :-)

[starbase]

BBC keeps reinforcing that they "believe" it's an accident

As happens a lot these days the authorities quickly say it was an accident, and just as quickly can't give you exact details.

[syriacus]

thanks for the link, Cindy.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Exactly. The "nothing to see here move along" excuse from them. Don't rile the masses, etc.