UK Explosion

[ozzy72]

Does anyone have any info on the explosion at Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead? The BBC News website just says there has been an explosion there at 06.03 this morning, just my best friend lives not far from there and I can't get hold of him even on his mobile and I'm rather concerned!

[ozzy72]

Hungarian news are saying an aircraft crashed into the depot. Anyone?

[BFMF]

Being on the oposite side of the pond, we won't hear about it immedietely. Hope nobody was hurt though

[Pinchaser...]

the news hasn't reached the US yet...maybe im the only american that knows.  ::) hope he's OK
edit: andrew knows too...so thats 2

[BFMF]

Gearhead, you must be on the west coast also? Most sensible folks who live in the east are sleeping

[RichieB16]

Gearhead, you must be on the west coast also? Most sensible folks who live in the east are sleeping

Ummm, don't the folks on the east coast get up eariler than us since they are a few hours ahead?  

[Craig.]

Mark, they are saying it was an accident right now, nothing more. No aircraft.

[ozzy72]

Well it appears the Hungarian news service has its head up its bottom on the translation front!
Not an aircraft crash but the aviation fuel tanks (which supply Luton airport) have blown up! No known cause but the whole thing is not regarded as suspicious.

[Hagar]

Well it appears the Hungarian news service has its head up its bottom on the translation front!
Not an aircraft crash but the aviation fuel tanks (which supply Luton airport) have blown up! No known cause but the whole thing is not regarded as suspicious.

Typical media hysteria & nothing unusal. A big explosion at an oil depot. What else could it be but an air crash? Probably the work of terrorists too.

[Ivan]

kerosine + leaky valve + cigarette = boom
Probably the thing is to much damaged to get the exact cause from the wreckage anyway

[Hagar]

kerosine + leaky valve + cigarette = boom
Probably the thing is to much damaged to get the exact cause from the wreckage anyway

Kerosine is in fact not that flammable. I have no idea of the cause of this but doubt a lit cigarette would ignite it.

[Ivan]

5 out of 20 tanks blown up, rest on fire.
3 million gallons for each tank = enough fuel to keep this mess burning for a few days.

And as people reported that their walls were damaged by the shockwave, there wouldn't be much left of the containment walls at the location itself.

CNN has a 'as close as the police allowed' photo on the front page

Edit: changed first line, seems that the whole plant is on fire, with 5 out of 20 exploded and the rest burning.

Edit: Links to pictures removed, as they are (or will be) removed from the hosting site

[smashie]

I'm staying at my parents this weekend, bloody thing woke me up. I'm about 10 miles from it as the crow flies.

[Ivan]

found the pictures again

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/no ... n/1031252/

3/4 down the page or so.

Most is damage from the initial fireball and shockwave.

Latest reports are that the fire brigade is letting the whole thing burn out as they don't have enough foam... That will take a few days i think, not to mention the explosion danger

[Hagar]

This is where you will usually find the most accurate & up-to-date information. http://news.bbc.co.uk/