http://www.archimage.co.uk/ind_28_hemel.htm
That is the oil depot they are referring to - it is about 2 miles from my house - the explosion was unbelievable! I did hear a plane just before it happened, however, there are always planes going over here as we are near-ish to Luton airport so that may be a coincidence. Personally I would be surprised if it was terrorists of any sort but then I guess you never know. The flames are still burning though not as fiercely - well not that you can see from here anyway - but the smoke is horrendous. Thick and acrid - it has turned the sky totally black. .... that noise was the scariest thing... people heard from it from so far away too! Not what you expect on a Sunday morning!
THANKS hemelresident for that update.
Welcome to Free Republic -- stay safe!
Stay safe. Looks like several refinery fires I've seen in Texas, Lousiana, and New Jersey here in the United States. They occur from time to time, and are quite dramatic (and costly, too.) A shame that there are casualties.
Welcome to FR. Thanks for the update. Our son-in-law's family live in Reading. Stay safe.
I hope your town has a quick recovery