(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]

"did you hear a plane before"

"not entirely sure, could have have been a plane, could have been thunder".

From the bbc just now.

[defenderSD]

Well it's too soon to say if it's an accident or not. The BP refinery in Texas City had a big explosion last year that was an accident, but the tanks were widely seperated and it didn't burn up much fuel or cause a huge amount of damage. The suspicious thing to me is these reported statements already released by police that this blast appears to be accidental. It's way too soon for statments like that if you ask me. That tends to make me think this may not be accidental and police know it.

[msnimje]

Sounds like it. Explosions going off at this moment.

[Canard]

" Change "assume" to "suspect" and I'm with you."

I'm fine with anyone suspecting anything. It's the people that formulate their own 'version of the truth' up front, refuse to accept any evidence to the contrary and take any comment from authorities that disputes it as evidence of an official coverup that wind me up a little!

[BurbankKarl]

well, apparently people reported a low flying plane......then a plane crash....

that has all been "dismissed" by the newsreaders.....but three hours later someone BBC was interviewing said "at the Crash Site"

[janetjanet998]

thunder? in Britain? in the winter?

[BurbankKarl]

Doesnt England have 1 news helicopter? I guess I am spoiled here in Los Angeles.

[shaggy eel]

,,, I recall hearing about that one last year on the radio at the time. I'm putting my money on the non-accident option with this one.

[Canard]

"The suspicious thing to me is these reported statements already released by police that this blast appears to be accidental. It's way too soon for statments like that if you ask me. That tends to make me think this may not be accidental and police know it."

And here's a good example of what I just said in post 504! The police say they believe it's an accident? That must mean it's not an accident!

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I am open to listening. BUT, given the history of Muslims, I am also wound up a lot too.

In addition, I have inlaws near London AND my husband was talking to a friend of his 3 hours ago who's house shook.

I hope you understand that I am a bit upset about this and why I feel that Muslims, TO ME, are guilty until proven innocent.

[little jeremiah]

And this accident/whatever it is right after the warning about terrorist plans in the UK. It's normal and rational to suspect that it might not be an accident.

And whatever it is, may not be made public for a while.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Did you read post #340?

"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!"

340 posted on 12/11/2005 12:08:18 AM PST by hemelresident

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I was just typing what the eyewitness on the BBC had said.

[Canard]

"Doesnt England have 1 news helicopter?"

I know Sky have one. This is under the approach to Luton airport, so not sure if that would affect their ability to access the airspace there?

[BurbankKarl]

I can't believe they are telling people that smoke isnt toxic....

they are nuts!

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Oh yes. I see that. Thank you.

I hope the poster is okay as the fire is not out and he has not posted.

[papertyger]

You find somebody on this thread that has "refused to accept any evidence to the contrary" and I'll eat your return key.

[xzins]

Hey, MadI, what's your take on this explosion?

[defenderSD]

No, I just think it's way too soon for police to be making any statements about whether this appears to be an accident. I mean they're in the middle of fighting the fire right now. They've barely started an investigation into the cause of the blast. It strikes me as odd that they released that statement. Could be they're just trying to keep the public calm about this incident, which is OK to a point. But I assure you I have not leapt to any conclusions.

[starbase]

I hope you understand that I am a bit upset about this and why I feel that Muslims, TO ME, are guilty until proven innocent.

I understood exactly what you meant. Some people on this forum love to split hairs, and I have split a few hairs myself from time to time.

Naturally you mean the people guilty of killings, murder, terrorism, sabotage, and bombings, are, in your world view, a bit dodgy! I see your point.