General Chat

Just read the threads hope every one is ok, Marie xx

Gosh what a shock! I live in the next town down towards Leverstock Green from Lindy and our household slept right through it! I just hope there are no serious injuries and not too much damage to people's homes. nell

I have only just seen this,... How devastating.. I sincerely hope everyone is alright and anyone that is hurt is not too badly hurt... My thoughts are with you all Maz x

I've just found this! obviously having a slow morning, Just sending lots of love to all of you shaken people. Suex

All the smoke has now cleared, and we have a lovely blue sky over Hatfield now. Further explosions are expected at the depot as other tanks catch fire, so I hope we don't get any more smoke blowing eastwards. It must be awful for the people whose houses took the brunt of the blasts, and apparently four people working on the site were seriously injured and are now in hospital. >*|*<

Hiya, I live In Hemel Hempstead in Leverstock Green about 5 minutes away from the Buncefield Industrial Estate, I was woken up this morning at about 6 by a huge explosion, at first I thought it might be thunder but then I thought it was way too loud, because I live near the dual carriagway I then thought it might have been a car accident as I heard a car alarm going off. There was an orange glow outside, me, my mum and younger brother went into my mums room and looked out of the window where we saw the huge fire. We then though it might have been a house explosion with a gas leak, but as we turned on the news we realised it was the oil depot, my Grandparents live in Woodhall Farm and they had some damage to thier house but they were fortunatley unharmed.

oh dont worry i have just put the news on are you ok put a message on soon

Here in Bexleyheath a massive cloud of pollution from the explostion is covering the sky. Looks like a huge black storm cloud. Have taken some photos and will try to add to photopage. Hope everyone near the scene is OK. Dee x

Hi Dee, Linda in Barnehurst here. We can see it too Linda

Hi All, I live about 10 mins walk (about 3/4 mile) from the depot and apart from being thrown from bed at 6:03, all is well. Windows and doors intact and 83 year old mother thought she was back in the blitz. Feel a bit guilty as the thick smoke that we had earlier has now cleared and we have a lovely sunny day. Looking at the smoke from our front door, the plume is heading. Probably get another dose later when the wind direction changes. Nesta

Hi Linda.....awesome isn't it! I've posted some photos here:- http://groups.msn(.)com/GCPhotos-thenextgeneration/ Dee x

OMG Dee - can't believe that lot has reached you already !!! Awesome pics !!

Hi again - have just stepped outside - and the smoke has reached us tooo - it stinks out there !!! Lovely sunny day but a long blanket of grey smoke hanging across the downs looking across to Brands Hatch direction ...........

Ok here in Medway it has now gone from a brilliantly sunny afternoon to almost pitch black ............... and it stinks out there!!! Goodness if that fire keeps burning for days - can you imagine what it will be like in the South ???

Here in deepest Stevenage (not too far away from Lindy) we didnt hear a thing, but when Monkey got up this morning all he has spoken about is 'BANG, and pointing outside, so I think he heard it, my brothers mil heard it in southall, its looking as though there is only one serious casulaty, thank goodness for that, imagine what it would have been like f it had happened on a weekday, so smoke here just lovely right day. Hope everyone nearer is ok and not too shaken up by it all

Linda, you ought to be living in Hemel. The smoke is still belching out of the terminal. It looks as though it is just at the top of my road - which it is!!! Only good point is the wind is in the direction that it is still taking it away from our house. Nesta

The smoke drifted across here to Hatfield (about 20 miles from Hemel) this morning, but then it cleared and we've had a lovely clear afternoon. Can see the thick black cloud of smoke in the distance though, and from the news broadcasts it seems it's now reached as far as the shores of Europe, so I hope the wind doesn't change overnight and we get it again. It was horrible, and everything outside was covered in little black 'smuts', like you get from smoky coal fires. It's been called the worst disaster of its type that this country has seen since WWII! Thank God the injuries weren't more severe. >*|*<

I hope those near by have stayed in today...? I rang our folks ( Hatfield & Welwyn) only to be told this morning they hadn't heard a thing nor could they see much........hope this hasn't changed for them this evening. Also have an Uncle who lives in Abbotts who drives a tanker and works from the depot ....all is well there too.......INFACT the first any of them knew about it was when I called from Ireland LOL!!! Keep safe

The 1st I knew was when I turned on my computer at 730 & my friend from New Zealand was MSN & asked if I was alright! Penny

Hiya, I live In Hemel Hempstead in Leverstock Green about 5 minutes away from the Buncefield Industrial Estate, I was woken up this morning at about 6 by a huge explosion, at first I thought it might be thunder but then I thought it was way too loud, because I live near the dual carriagway I then thought it might have been a car accident as I heard a car alarm going off. There was an orange glow outside, me, my mum and younger brother went into my mums room and looked out of the window where we saw the huge fire. We then though it might have been a house explosion with a gas leak, but as we turned on the news we realised it was the oil depot, my Grandparents live in Woodhall Farm and they had some damage to thier house but they were fortunatley unharmed.