UK fuel depot blasts injure dozens

[Sean]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe...sts/index.html

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Several large explosions at an oil depot rocked a town about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of London early Sunday, lighting up the predawn sky, injuring 43 people and sparking a massive blaze. Britain has been on edge for terrorist attacks since four suicide bombers killed 52 commuters in July on London's transport system, but a police statement ruled out any attack. "All indications are, at this stage, that this was an accident," said Hertfordshire Chief Constable Frank Whiteley. "However, clearly we will keep an open mind ... until we can confirm that for certain." Forty-three people were taken to hospitals for their injuries, Whitely said, but the majority were "walking casualties." All but two have been released, he said, and those two do not have life-threatening injuries. It was too early, Whiteley said, to determine the cause of the explosions. Although firefighting units were on the scene, authorities said the fire may have to burn itself out. "Given the latest info on the fire, the fire is likely to continue for the next 24 hours or so," Whitely said. "It could go into days," Roy Wilsher, fire department spokesman, told reporters. He described the fire as "the largest I've seen." Wilshire said 250 million liters (more than 66 million gallons) of foam concentrate -- to be mixed with water to create flame supressant foam -- was "on the way to us." "We're working with the oil industry experts to see if even that's enough," he said. Authorities said the blaze was under control, however, and was not expected to spread. About 20 petroleum tanks were thought to be involved in the blaze at the Buncefield Oil Depot near Hemel Hempstead, said Jane Vine, spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue. "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."

[pubmanager]

The explosion woke me up this mornig.

I am over 10 miles away!!!!

I thought my pub had collapsed! Legged it downstairs to check and just found a very nervous cleaner!

Mental.

[Chris the Chees]

Quote by: pubmanager The explosion woke me up this mornig. I am over 10 miles away!!!! I thought my pub had collapsed! Legged it downstairs to check and just found a very nervous cleaner! Mental.

Where abouts are you from then? Bucks, Herts? I live, when not at uni, just outside Milton Keynes. So it is only about 10-15 miles from where I live...

Mym mum rang and told me it had happened, apparently you could smell the burning in MK.

[Matt W]

I live down in Reading, and the sky looked like an eclipse this afternoon - weird darkness over the horizon. Apaprently the sat photos are something to see....

[pubmanager]

I'm in Pinner, Middx.

About 15 mins down the road from Watford.

Brother is a teacher in St.Albans, he's quite happy as he's got the day off tomorrow... All the schools have been closed.