"A catastrophic series of explosions" at an oil depot NW of London run by Texaco and the French oil group Total occurred early Sunday, the business news service AFX reported.[1] -- "Petrol and fuel oils for a large part of south-east England [are] traded through the Buncefield Oil Terminal near the Hemel Hempstead M1 motorway junction. An underground pipeline brings the oil directly from tankers unloading at Canvey Island [near the mouth of the Thames]," according to a U.K. government web site. -- South Africa's News24 spoke of "two or three explosions" that occurred "just before 6:00" at the oil storage facility located 12 miles from Luton airport, and reported a police statement denying rumors that a plane had been involved, saying that there was "nothing to suggest at this stage this is anything other than an accident."[2] -- The Times of India spoke of "three explosions" and said BBC was reporting "an unspecified number of casualties."[3] -- An eyewitness said: "I was in bed, I was actually having a bad dream, and I thought the world had ended. The loft hatch in my house has actually fallen out, my neighbor's window has actually broken from the impact. I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere." -- An early AP report said that "The area around the fuel depot was being evacuated. Police said many roads and highways had been closed."[4] -- The explosions were felt "throughout a large part of London and southeast England," Thomas Wagner reported, and a 42-year-old man who lives less than a mile from the oil depot said there was "fireball after fireball -- truly amazing." -- Another local resident said the blasts "had blown the roofs off houses near the oil depot. 'It is like it is doomsday,' he told the BBC." -- According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, Sky News was saying that eight persons had died, that there had been a "huge blast, followed by several smaller ones," and that the explosion had occurred at "6:03 a.m."[5] -- CNN reported that "About 20 petroleum tanks were thought to be involved." -- A spokesperson for rescuers said: "What we're really concerned about is toxic smoke from the area. There's a heavy cloud. We don't know if it's toxic, but we're asking people in Hemel Hempstead to keep their windows and doors closed and stay inside."[6] -- CNN also reported that "Police told ITN they expected further explosions, as intact tanks were threatened by the flames. About 150,000 tons of various types of fuel are stored there, authorities said." -- CNN said a British TV network had reported that after the initial blast at "about 6 a.m." two other blasts "at 6:26 and 6:27 a.m." took place, and that cameras showed "flames shooting an estimated 80 to 100 meters (up to 300 feet) in the air, along with an immense cloud of smoke." -- "Texaco owns 40 percent of Buncefield, while the other 60 percent is owned by Total, according to Texaco-Chevron UK," CNN reported. -- New Delhi TV said a tanker driver at the terminal said "there were 20 tanks on the site, each holding three million gallons of fuel."[7] -- On the web, a former employee's reminiscences of work experiences offer a glimpse into the human side of operations at Buncefield....
1.
News & Analysis
FRANCE'S TOTAL CONFIRMS EXPLOSIONS AT U.K. OIL DEPOT
AFX
December 11, 2005
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/12/11/afx2383334.html
LONDON -- The U.K. unit of French oil group Total on Sunday confirmed a catastrophic series of explosions at the Buncefield fuel depot northwest of London that it runs with U.S. oil company Texaco.
"We can confirm reports of an explosion near the terminal in Hertfordshire," Total U.K. spokesman Ian Hutchison told BBC television.
"Firm details of the incident are not yet known. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of all those affected by the situation."
He said the depot was a joint venture between Total U.K. and Texaco, situated in a complex at Hemel Hempstead that also includes British Petroleum, Shell Oil, and the British Pipeline Agency.
Total said it had been able to contact both its employees at the site this morning. "We've been able to contact them and both are safe. . . . We have no information about other people at the terminal," Hutchison said.
2.
BLASTS 'SEEM LIKE ACCIDENT'
News24 (South Africa)
December 11, 2005
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1849027,00.html
LONDON -- Police have no evidence to suggest that massive explosions at a fuel depot near one of London's airports on Sunday were "caused by anything other than an accident," a police spokesperson said.
"There's nothing to suggest at this stage this is anything other than an accident, although we're keeping an open mind," a spokesperson with Hertfordshire police told AFP.
Police said there had been two or three explosions at the Buncefield oil depot in Hertfordshire, northwest of London, about 20km from Luton airport, just before 6:00.
"Contrary to rumors circulating, there is nothing to suggest that a plane is involved in this incident," she added.
"At this stage we're unaware of any casualties. I can't confirm any casualties," the spokesperson said.
3.
MASSIVE BLASTS RIP THROUGH OIL DEPOT NEAR LONDON
Times of India (originally known as the Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce, now published from eight cities across India; with an average issue readership in excess of 7 million, the Times of India is by far the world's largest broadsheep newspaer in English)
December 11, 2005
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1327184.cms
[PHOTOS (1) (2)]
LONDON -- British police said on Sunday they believed a series of massive explosions at a fuel depot north of London were the result of an accident.
"There is nothing to suggest at this stage that this is anything other than an accident, although we are keeping an open mind," a Hertfordshire police spokeswoman said.
Some local residents had reported hearing an aircraft flying low overhead shortly before the first explosion at around 6 a.m. (0600 GMT). But the police statement there was "nothing to suggest a plane was involved."
Earlier, three large explosions struck an oil depot near Luton airport northwest of London on Sunday, police said fearing casualties.
The first blast happened at the Buncefield oil depot, close to the junction 8 of the M1 motorway 20 kms from Luton Airport at 0600 GMT (11:30 IST), they said.
Residents from the scene reported hearing a "loud boom." Witnesses said another two explosions followed the first at 0626 GMT and 0627 GMT. A spokesman said police at the scene have reported some casualties. Eye witness Sam Matton, who lives near the depot told BBC that "the sky is sort of orange."
According to one eyewitness the flames have got to be 60ft up in the air.
"I was in bed, I was actually having a bad dream, and I thought the world had ended. The loft hatch in my house has actually fallen out, my neighbor's window has actually broken from the impact," the eyewitness said.
"I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere," he said.
Duncan Milligan of Hemel Hempstead said, "Here was a first major explosion and about three explosions after that. There was a loud boom and the house shook violently. I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere," he said.
The blast was so powerful that it was heard in many parts of London. Another witness Dave Franklin said: "There was a massive loud bang which broke windows above us and to the right. The whole sky just turned orange and black."
The British Broadcasting Corp. reported an unspecified number of casualties, which police and local fire brigade could not confirm.
4.
EXPLOSIONS ROCK OIL DEPOT NORTH OF LONDON
By Thomas Wagner
Associated Press
December 11, 2005
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3517123.html
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England -- A series of explosions at one of Britain's largest oil depots shook an area north of London Sunday, shattering windows and sending billowing clouds of smoke and flames high into the sky. Police said the blasts appeared to be accidental.
The oil depot is near an airport and some residents reported hearing an aircraft flying low overhead shortly before the first explosion at around 6 a.m. But area police issued a statement saying there was "nothing to suggest a plane was involved."
The al-Qaida terror network and other terrorist groups have threatened to target fuel depots. But police said there was no indication the blasts were acts of terrorism.
Britain has been on edge about terror attacks since the July 7 transit bombings in London, which killed 56 people including four suicide bombers. An attempted attack two weeks later failed.
The area around the fuel depot was being evacuated. Police said many roads and highways had been closed.
Luton Airport, about 30 miles north of central London and near the site of the explosions, remained open and flights were operating normally.
Firefighters, meanwhile, scrambled to extinguish the blaze at the Buncefield Oil Terminal, about two miles from the town of Hemel Hempstead.
The British Broadcasting Corp. reported an unspecified number of casualties, which police and local firefighters could not immediately confirm.
The Ramada Hotel in Hemel Hempstead was temporarily evacuated after windows were shattered by the blast. Two guests had minor injuries from broken glass and were treated at the hotel, said Calum Russell, marketing director for Jarvis Hotels Ltd. All 187 guests had since returned to their rooms, Russell said.
Residents in Hemel Hempstead reported a loud boom and some felt their houses shake. The blast was so powerful it was felt throughout a large part of London and southeast England.
"Around 6 a.m. as we were sleeping, there was a mighty explosion -- a thunderclap that woke me up," said Neil Spencer, 42, who lives less than a mile from the terminal. "It was fireball after fireball -- truly amazing."
Local resident Richard Ayers said a massive column of smoke rose into the air and said the force of explosions had blown the roofs off houses near the oil depot. "It is like it is doomsday," he told the BBC.
5.
EIGHT KILLED IN OIL BLASTS NEAR LONDON
Xinhua
December 11, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/11/content_3906631.htm
LONDON -- There were unconfirmed reports that eight people have been killed in the large explosions near Hemel Hempstead, around 40 km north of London, the Sky News said on Sunday.
The huge blast, followed by several smaller ones, appeared to be centered around the Buncefield fuel depot near junction 8 of the M1 motorway at 6:03 am local time (0603 GMT), and it was so powerful that it could be felt more than 30 km away.
At least 12 rescue team members have been sent to the scene and emergency services are converging on the area, where flames could be seen soaring up to 200 ft (about 60 meters) in the sky.
Hertfordshire Police said the explosion was an "accident" and nothing sinister.
Witnesses said that buildings have been brought down and the roofs of houses were lifted by the force.
One witness said he was near the site when the blast happened and he saw a building "open up like a doll's house."
Windows were blown out at the Ramada hotel in Hemel Hempstead, which was evacuated after reports of injuries.
6.
HUGE BLASTS ROCK U.K. FUEL DEPOT
CNN
December 11, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/12/11/britain.blasts/
LONDON, England -- Several large explosions at a fuel depot have rocked a town north of London, lighting up the predawn sky, causing some casualties and sparking a massive blaze. Police said the incident was being treated as an accident.
Officials at the Luton Airport told British television network ITN the blast did not involve an aircraft -- despite some earlier reports Sunday -- and was not on airport grounds. Hertfordshire police also said there was no plane involved.
Britain has been on edge for attacks since four suicide bombers killed 52 commuters in July on London's transport system, but the police statement appeared to rule out any attack.
About 20 petroleum tanks were thought to be involved in the blaze at the Buncefield Oil Depot near Hemel Hempstead, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of London, said Jane Vine, spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue. Ten firefighting units are currently fighting the flames and searching the area, she said.
Vine had no information on casualties. Hertfordshire police earlier told ITN there were casualties but did not elaborate. One witness told ITN he had helped carry a wounded security guard to safety.
"What we're really concerned about is toxic smoke from the area," Vine told CNN. "There's a heavy cloud. We don't know if it's toxic, but we're asking people in Hemel Hempstead to keep their windows and doors closed and stay inside."
Residents closest to the depot were being evacuated, she said, and nearby roadways, including the M1 and M10, were closed. "What we really want is for people to keep away from the area."
Police told ITN they expected further explosions, as intact tanks were threatened by the flames. About 150,000 tons of various types of fuel are stored there, authorities said.
As the fire spread, nearby residents moved quickly, some throwing possessions in the backs of their cars before fleeing.
STRANGE TASTE
Hemel Hempstead residents reported hearing a loud boom about 6 a.m. local time. Two other blasts followed, British television network ITN reported, at 6:26 and 6:27 a.m.
The network showed flames shooting an estimated 80 to 100 meters (up to 300 feet) in the air, along with an immense cloud of smoke. Witnesses told ITN the blasts shattered windows and caused other damage at nearby homes.
As the smoke spread across Hemel Hempstead, witnesses said there was a strange taste in the air.
"It's a horrible feeling in the back of your throat," Andy Dicker told the network. "Very unpleasant."
The blast was enough to wake residents of west London.
One man told ITN he had heard nothing from authorities. "I think they're being pretty tight-lipped about it," he said. "But whatever it is, it's big."
He said he was planning to leave the area. "I think the best thing to do is actually get out," he said.
Witness Simon Heyward described seeing "what looked like fireworks shooting up into the sky." Police, he said, had cordoned off the area.
Another woman said she thought the noise was an earthquake or a plane crash at the Luton Airport. "It was that kind of intense noise," she said.
Texaco owns 40 percent of Buncefield, while the other 60 percent is owned by Total, according to Texaco-Chevron UK.
7.
EXPLOSIONS ROCK OIL DEPOT NEAR LONDON
NDTV
December 11, 2005
Original source: NDTV
Three large explosions struck an oil depot near Luton airport northwest of London, police said.
They added there are casualties and the blasts are seen as a major incident.
Media reports quoting unconfirmed information said eight people died in the blasts.
The explosions are treated as an accident and the involvement of a plane was ruled out, a police spokesman said.
The first blast took place at the Buncefield oil depot close to junction 8 of the M1 motorway 20 kms from Luton Airport at 0600 GMT (11:30 IST), police said.
Malcolm Stewart, who drives a tanker at the terminal, said there were 20 tanks on the site, each holding three million gallons of fuel.
The depot also supplies Luton airport, which is used by budget and charter flights to destinations in Britain and abroad.
"LOUD BOOM"
Residents from the scene reported hearing a "loud boom."
Witnesses said two explosions followed the first at 0626 GMT and 0627 GMT.
Eyewitness Dave Franklin said: "There was a massive loud bang which broke windows above us and to the right.
"The whole sky just turned orange and black." Several other neighbors said they did see a plane go into the depot," he said.
In July simultaneous bomb attacks on London’s underground train systems and a bus killed 52 people and wounded 700 others.
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