http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4517962.stm
Last Updated: Sunday, 11 December 2005, 07:23 GMT
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"Massive explosions rock oil depot"
SNIPPET: "Police have confirmed there were casualties at the oil depot
Three large explosions have taken place at an oil depot near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.
Police say there have been casualties, and officers are at the scene. They are describing it as a major incident.
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.
The M1 has been closed both ways. Residents up to 30 miles from the scene reported hearing a "loud boom".
Those living nearby have been evacuated. Many houses have been damaged, with some reporting feeling effects from the explosion as far away as Oxfordshire.
Eye witnesses reported buckled front doors, cracked walls and shattered windows.
Witnesses said another two explosions followed the first at 0626 GMT and 0627 GMT.
The Buncefield depot is a major distribution terminal operated by Total and part-owned by Texaco, storing oil, petrol as well as kerosene which supplies Luton airport.
"We are doing everything we can to support the emergency services and to bring the situation under control," said a Total spokesman.
No further details were available, he added."
UPDATE...
http://www.sky.com/skynews/home
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1205711,00.html
"Blast: Reports Of Deaths"
Updated: 07:47, Sunday December 11, 2005
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "There are unconfirmed reports that eight people have been killed in a large explosion, followed by several smaller blasts, near Hemel Hempstead, around 25 miles north of London.
Sky Correspondent Geoff Meade has said he can see flames about 200ft in the sky and there appears to be burning fuel.
The blast appears to be centered around the Buncefield fuel depot near junction 8 of the M1. It was so powerful it was felt more than 20 miles away."