(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...

[shaggy eel]

Police say explosion DEFINATELY an accident

,,, how close do you reckon they could get to determine that at this stage?

[papertyger]

No, to be honest.

Well I do. At the very least it is prima facie evidence of "managing" public opinion.

[AmeriBrit]

My daughter and family live there. We've been talking since she was thrown out of bed at the first blast. Your right she wouldn't let that interfere with her cuppa but this Brit here had to have more than just milk and sugar in mine.
Every window in the house is broken and only able to exit the house by the rear door. Dishes broken and all over the floor and pictures all off the walls. Can't see much outside as it's thick with smoke.
My son-in-law slept through the whole thing.

[msnimje]

Press Conference on BBC now.

[xzins]

It's always possible that it's a coincidence.

Probably best to wait for the facts to start coming out. MI always has a good take on these things. Hope he comes online today.

[Canard]

"BBC TV..this is a very large depot..with 24 hour a day operations..and supplies fuel for heathrow airport? although that doesn' make sense becuase it wasn't jet fuel..maybe they meant it supplies feul for heathrow airport support vechciles or something"

Yes, I think they mentioned there was a pipeline to Heathrow. One of the reports said kerosene was one of the fuels stored, that is avaiation fuel I think?

[msnimje]

All indications are that this is an accident however we are keeping an opening mind.
36 Causalities - most no serious.
Four people seriously injured.
More explosions expected throughout the morning.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Hertfordshire Police Constable and Fire Chief doing press conference now. Say it is an accident but they'll keep an open mind. Further explosions are expected. About 30 casualties with 4 serious injuries.

[Canard]

Press conferance now: Police expect further explosions during the morning.

Same stuff on causes: no indication of it not being an accident, but keeping open mind.

Residents advised to keep inside with windows closed.

[msnimje]

Do not go into the plume of smoke!

[Liberty Valance]

Thanks for that video link. ;o) Excellent coverage.

[xzins]

Those targets mentioned in that article do not align with the case at hand.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Wow. Has anything like this in your area happened in the past?

[BunnySlippers]

I am merely reporting what CNN said. However, I will say that in disasters and accidents that there is a lot more known by those on the spot than people watching TV for snippets of information.

Bottom line: I don't know what they know.

[Canard]

"Do not go into the plume of smoke!"

Something of a no-brainer I would have thought!

[janetjanet998]

they expect more explosions today(from the depot)....think it is an accident but keeping an open mind

[shaggy eel]

,,, bottom line: refer post #562.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

My guess is "those targets mentioned" are being fortified now even more than they were five hours ago.

Did you see post #563?

[xzins]

I agree.

No sense going overboard in either direction.

[thecabal]

My son-in-law slept through the whole thing.

Now I don't feel so bad for sleeping through a mag 5.6 quake. lol...