(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...

[msnimje]

...Hysterical Shep ...

He was hysterical this past week so he is not due for another episode until this time next month.

[Tommyjo]

Yes they have news helos.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

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.

563 posted on 12/11/2005 2:12:46 AM PST by AmeriBrit

[msnimje]

No, I think brainless is a preexisting condition.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Prayers for everyone's safety.

[Canard]

Police advice to anyone whose windows have been blown out is to evacuate to somewhere where they can get indoors if possible. Best wishes for your family members.

[papertyger]

Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I put my head into this plume of smoke... ;)

What IS this British fascination with "plumage?"

;o>

[Dr. Eckleburg]

How long will a real assessment take do you think....a week?

A real assessment? That depends on what caused the mishap.

If it was an accident, it could take a week.

If it's terrorism, a week plus 10 years.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

The plumage ain't got nothing to do with it! 'E's stone dead!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

LOL. And he'll mispronounce three out of every 10 words.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Not my relatives. AmeriBrit is posting the report.

My relatives are all sound asleep, and I'm about to join them.

[papertyger]

The plumage ain't got nothing to do with it! 'E's stone dead!

O'm not daid yet

E' says e's not daid yet!

[syriacus]

The Fina-Line is a high-pressure fuels pipeline transporting products from Lindsey Oil Refinery, North Lincolnshire to Buncefield Terminal at Hemel Hempstead.

The pipeline is 10” diameter of welded steel construction and was installed in 1990 to a minimum depth of 1,1 metres cover. The location of the pipeline is identified by concrete boundary markers and roofed aerial markers. ...

Fina-Line transports products including petrol, diesel, aviation, agricultural and heating fuels, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to the Buncefield Terminal Hemel Hempstead, from where it is distributed to industry and community.

Total pipelines in the UK

[hershey]

Our Muslim friends getting busy again? Or just a cow with flatulence?

[Canard]

Aplogies, confused with who I was posting to.

603 should have been a reply to AmeriBrit.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Well, that's disturbing. Thanks for the info.

[hershey]

They'll have to call it a 'Holiday' bombing campaign here in the US because the word, 'Christmas' is verboten.

[syriacus]

Detailed map of Fina-Line which is a high-pressure fuels pipeline transporting petrol, diesel, aviation, agricultural and heating fuels from Lindsey Oil Refinery, North Lincolnshire to Buncefield Terminal at Hemel Hempstead.

[msnimje]

If they call it a "Christmas Bombing Campaign" do you think the ACLU will sue them?

[hershey]

You can bet your 'Holiday' stocking the ACLU will sue!