General Chat

We were also woken by the noise of the blast just after 6 a m, and we're about 20 miles away. We're a bit worried, as we have two lots of friends who live in Hemel Hempstead. My husband has just said a door in our house blew shut seconds after the bang, and I think there was another loud bang around 7 a m. >*|*<

Hope everyone with folks in that area get good news xxhugxx

Its foggy here in Harlow. E x

I live in St Albans and it woke me up, it was so loud I thought the roof was caving in. It's very foggy outside, wether thats the fog or smoke I don't know. Some people as far as Biggleswade in Bedfordshire heard the explosion as well.

PLease dont Panic- scary though it it- am going to ring my mum and dad , they are resonably near- the last thing i want to do is instil panic in them Jess x

Isnt it awfull, ive just logged on to GR and saw this thread and the logged on to sky news. I hope everyone and their nearest and dearest are ok. Elaine x

oh my good god..... you mean the explosion was in leverstock? i best get on the phone pronto...... relly panicking now!

Hi It is in Herts. Between Hemel Hempstead & St Albans Just off junction 8 of the M1 Penny

Is that in Herts?, have heard of it, but not sure, what a shock for you all.

Holly & Em C It's in Leverstock Green. It blew our front door open 3 miles away! Penny

Just seen it on Sky Lindy . Hope you are OK. Looks frightening Germaine x

oh dear.... ive just read this. my Godson lives in Leverfstock Grreen, can anyone tell me is that anywhere near??? i have no idea :((

The police are treating it as an accident. Gwynne

Oh My Goodness , Have just got up and seen this on news -I pray & hope everyone is ok. Lindy glad you ok - its still very shocking & frightening. Diane x

from BBC News - Oil depot blasts cause casualties Police have confirmed there were casualties at the oil depot Three large explosions have taken place at an oil depot near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire. Police say there have been casualties. and officers are at the scene. The first blast happened at 0603 GMT, at the Buncefield oil depot, close to the junction 8 of the M1 motorway 10 miles from Luton Airport. The M1 has been closed both ways. Residents up to 30 miles from the scene reported hearing a 'loud boom' and seeing flames 'up to 60ft'. One eye witness told BBC News: 'There are lots of houses damaged.' Witnesses said another two explosions followed the first at 0626 GMT and 0627 GMT. The M1 near the scene has been closed in both directions. 'House shook' Eye witness Sam Matton, who lives half-a-mile from the depot told BBC News: 'The sky is sort of orange. The flames have got to be 60ft up in the air. 'I was in bed, I was actually having a bad dream and I thought the world had ended. 'The loft hatch in my house has actually fallen out, my neighbour's window has actually broken from the impact. I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere Duncan Milligan 'There was a first major explosion and about three explosions after that. Dave Franklin told BBC News: 'We woke up at 0555 GMT. There was a massive loud bang which broke windows above us and to the right. The whole sky just turned orange and black. 'Several other neighbours said they did see a plane go into the depot.' Duncan Milligan, of Hemel Hempstead, said he was awoken by the explosion as his house 'shook'. 'There was a loud boom and the house shook violently. '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.' Michael Vatty said: 'There have been four subsequent very loud explosions, but the main one was just after six. 'The impression was that it was a clap of thunder, but as soon as we got up we saw the flames. We had the garage door blown in, the front door was also blown in.'

Hi Just seen this - I was woken by a loud bang at 6am - I live in St Albans!!!!!!!!! Penny Checked boys - all OK - hubby slept through!! Went to go downstairs & front door was open! Went outside to see if roof was still there & it was silent - all was still

Yes Paul it is on Lutons flight path, I cannot explain how loud this was I heard a whoomf then all the windows just shook and rattled we must be about goodness I am no good at distances but about 20 miles away. xxhugxx

got the news on now, Police have reported casualties but nothing more to that at the moment..pictures now.. i hope this is an accident and not a terrorist attack, it's on the flightpath to Luton isn't it?

Take care, Lindy. Sue (in NZ)

No problem Lindy, I hope no-one's been hurt, it is frightening when something like this happens and it's all sketchy at first Paul