General Chat

I didn't hear anything but apparently people on the Norfolk coast at Gt Yarmouth and Cromer heard the bang. Glad no-on on here seems too badly affected by this, and hope those injured are not too bad and soon back home safe for Christmas.

I've only just heard about this and I sincerely hope everyone is ok. Daisy

I have cousins in Hemel Hempstead and Luton. They are OK thank God. All woken up by the explosion like thousands of others. Thank goodness it didn't happen on Monday morning as two of my relatives actually work on the same trading estate! It would have been catastrophic for all those that worked there. Cousin in Luton was woken up with the house shaking and all the car alarms going off in the street! She couldn't beleive her eyes when she saw the flames and smoke! I'm sure everybody up in that area must have thought a plane had crashed or something. Feel so sorry for those that have suffered damage to their property. My thoughts are with them. What a fright for them!

we also heard the blast and our windows rattled,and we are in bucks! weve had black clouds here all day,it looked really eerie. susie

just adding best wishes to anyone who is affected by the tragic events today. Hope everyone is well. Thoughts and prayers with you all. Debxxx

I can still smell the smoke in the air here in Hatfield, although we haven't still got a the thick stuff we had this morning. According to the news reports, we might get further explosions as other tanks go up, but they've also said the Fire crews have contained the fire, so they can start tackling it with foam tomorrow morning. It certainly put paid to my shopping trip to Watford today! >*|*<

Hi all.......I live about 5 miles from Canary Whaft, the clouds were all black a couple of hours ago.......they are still floating by black, wonder how far these clouds are going to go........so, glad to hear that everyone is Ok, and no one died. Thank goodness it didn't happen on a weekday.......take care everyone out there.........Lilly

I live in Letchworth, not far from Lindy. The blast made the house, doors and windows shake and woke us all up. I thought at first it was a clap of thunder or a big firework or even an accident on the A1M and then wondered if it was the central heating boiler until it switched itself on. Like Lindy, I was very shaky and, knowing how close to home it was (20-25 miles as the crow flies) it has me still feeling very unsettled. To those who emailed me ....we are all fine, thank you for your concern. Viv in North Hertfordshire

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.

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

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 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. >*|*<

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

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

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 ???

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 ...........

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

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

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