'It's one big smoke column'

2005-12-11 10:09

London - A series of explosions at an oil depot shook an area north of London early Sunday, shattering the windows of nearby houses and sending a billowing cloud of smoke and flames high into the sky.

Hertfordshire Fire Brigade said it had scrambled at least 12 crews to Buncefield Oil Terminal, near Hemel Hempstead and described it as a major incident.

Hertforshire Police had no immediate comment, but the BBC reported an unconfirmed number of casualties and that several houses were damaged.

Residents in Hemel Hempstead north of London, reported a loud boom and some felt their houses shake at around 06:00.

The blast was so large it was felt throughout a large part of London and the surrounding area.

"There was a loud boom and the house shook violently," said Duncan Milligan, of Hemel Hempstead, who said the blast woke him up. "I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere. There is clearly a building on fire near the motorway and police and emergency services are everywhere."

Sky News broadcast hazy video footage showing flames and smoke billowing into the air. Sky said the Ramada Hotel in Hemel Hemstead was evacuated after windows were shattered by the blast.

Local resident Graeme North reported a "great column of smoke" at the oil deport and said the blast damaged several houses nearby. "The garage door was blown open," he told Sky. "The blast wave blew bath panels off."

- AP