(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...

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

My poor, sleeping family has no clue my evil twin will be occupying my sleep deprived body tomorrow.

[Americanwolf]

I don't want to know! :)

[onyx]

ROTFLMAO! Good idea.

[Big Bad Bob]

This is what we know...

Massive explosions at Buncesfield oil depot, nr Hemel Hempstead.

Shockwaves felt in Whitehall, Surrey and Hampshire.

Eyewitnesses heard rumbling noises.

[Termite_Commander]

Casualties can include fatalities, but it usually means just injuries (Disclaimer: I think).

[scott7278]

Surely someone has to be in the Fox News building that can read a teleprompter!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

Casualties = injuries + fatalities. IIRC, in the UK the Emergency Room of a hospital is called "Casuality."

[EternalVigilance]

I remember some years ago when a fertilizer plant near Sioux City Iowa blew up.

Leveled everything near there, and shook my sister and her husband out of their bed over twenty miles away.

[Americanwolf]

LOL!!!!!!

[Howlin]

And I've got to DRIVE somewhere in the morning!

[Doofer]

ON 12/11/05!!!

What's the significance????

[SoCalPol]

I have checked also and nothing on TV about this.
Like Mike, refreshing before logging off not a good idea :)

[sageb1]

"I guess I may have to stay up for awhile."

Me too, but at least we're in good company:)

[papertyger]

I knew a blind guy who got a degree in computer science, so why not?

Call me when you find one with a degree in photo-journalism.

[Humidston]

Hi. I'm Humi and I'm addicted to FR.... ;-)

[Howlin]

Don't these TV stations realize we're like the big plant in Little Shop of Horrors?


FEED ME, SEYMOUR!

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

When I was in high school several gas storage tanks blew up in Doraville (....touch of country in the city), GA because a driver struck a match while his tanker truck was fueling. Burned for many days. Eerie (?sp) to see at night)

[Ultra Sonic 007]

There's also the possibility it might be the IRA or just Irish terrorists.

...what? It's the only other option I could think of that made sense. :^P

So it's either Muslims or the Irish.

[TShaunK]

11th day of the month like 9/11??

[tcrlaf]

Sky website just updated...
Photo of lots of angry red flame.....