What exactly do they mean by "fuel depot"? Is this a British term for a gas station, a propane storage/distribution station, or is this one of the places with the very large storage cylinders, like a Unocal oil storage field?
"What exactly do they mean by "fuel depot"?"
It's fairly large, with storage sites for multiple companies. Sounds almost like one of our "tank farms" here in the US.
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!