There's just been a big explosion..

[shelley bda]

I'm watching the news about it now

They said that the Blast could be heard as far away in Norfolk

[Howard]

*awaits hundreds of theories of terrorism*

It was more than likely just an accident. Something went slightly wrong, caught fire and exploded. And sent the rest of the place up in flames.


Didn't hear anything here though.. Probably too far away

[Taz]

I'm watching the news about it now

They said that the Blast could be heard as far away in Norfolk

A BBC weatherman explained why the shock wave and sound could be heard so far away. Apparently, in the cold winter nights an 'inversion' is created. That's when the air on the ground is colder than the air higher up. This layer of cold air causes sound to spread out along the ground.

Usually the air on the ground is warmer than air higher up. In this case sound travels upwards (towards the colder air) rather than spreading out.

[klarrix]

I live in hemel, couple of miles away from it.

The explosion actually didn't wake me up (heavy sleeper) but a friend texted me a few minutes later with 'BP has exploded'. I could see a load of smoke out the window, but the flames were just out of my view at the time so i went to sleep again (thought it was a prank). When I woke i looked out the window properly and saw that the smoke was coming from somewhere nearby (can practically see the source), been listening to the news since then :/

[unreal]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4517962.stm

Was that what caused it?

[unreal]

Crap I didn't see this thread, posted in the other one >_> I think my dad heard it though

[tiggerai]

Err... if any of you guys are drivers, I'd go fill up if you're in the area, it's going to seriously impact on supplies in the south east. (Just a precaution... if you rely on your cars.)

(This is my dad's advice, he worked for BP for 20 years at Hemel.)
I got woken up by the rumble and my bed shaking...

[Dr. X]

ps

BBC news = Police appeal to motorists not to panic buy petrol.

[Nick]

They've just confirmed it'sthe aviation fuel dump that's on fire... on the other side of the depot from the petrol dump.

So as soon as they've got the fire out and things have cooled down, they should be able to start shipping fuel.

I've just got back from filling up, I had to, I was waaaaaay into the red and I had to queue for 10 minutes. The guy ebhind the counter said that they only had the two pumps out of 16 working as they usually took a delivery on the quieter Sunday... which came from Buncefield. They're getting a delivery tomorrow morning from another depot in Essex now, so they won;t be short of fuel other than today.

He was actually quite miffed at the number of £5 'top-ups' people were making... he was thinking of refusing fuel to anyone with more than half a tank.

[Howard]

We're only about 40 miles from Hemel.. I swear I can see smoke clouds in the sky

[Howard]

:wtf: Double post?

[mike_w]

Living in Hemel Hempstead, it really was one massive explosion. When I woke up, my first thought was that it was an earthquake because the house was still shaking, but I couldn't work out where the noise was coming from. But then I saw the fire from my window - you could see the flames from over the top of the trees. It is quite surreal, being able just to look out of my window and see that absolutely huge amount of smoke. It is the smoke that I'm worried about now... it has to go somewhere.

[TeePee]

Wow! I ws a bit dozy this morning having just woken up, but I'm a long way away in High Wycombe, I notice I said 'near my house'. This was because not only did I hear a bang, but a blast wave, hitting the side of my house. Words can't describe how massive this expolsion must have been, I was expecting to see wreckage of an aircraft outside my window!

[tiggerai]

ps

BBC news = Police appeal to motorists not to panic buy petrol.

P.S I didn't say panic buy... i just said as a precaution. ( there aren't any other large petrol storage places that supply the south east near here, therefore prices are either going to go up, or supplies will drop - simple business sense really)
I need my car to get to work, some people need them for medical things... Supplies may be impacted. It was just a polite warning.

Thankyou Dr.X for your very patronising post.
I'd take my Dad's advice tbh... if you're putting off buying it like I was, then I'd advise getting it as when it gets to the point of buying it, there may not be any for a few days (i was on a red line)

Jeez, I hate being flamed for trying to be helpful.
EDIT: just read Nicks Post - who, incidentally has done the same thing as me. I feel sorry for the people going on xmas holidays that may be impacted.

[Howard]

Lucky I filled up on Friday!"

[iranu]

Heard the explosion this morning. Was staying at my folks place in Henley, 40 miles from Hemel Hempstead.

They were awake when the explosion happened and they had the window open abit. The shockwave blew the curtain into the room!!