A large explosion shook an area north of London, close to a fuel depot, early on Sunday.
Residents in Hemel Hempstead, which is close to Luton airport, north of London, reported a loud boom and some felt their houses shake at about 6am local time. The blast was so large it was felt throughout a large part of London and the surrounding area.
There were no immediate reports of any casualties and no further details were immediately available.
”There was a loud boom and the house shook violently,” said Duncan Milligan, of Hemel Hempstead, who added the blast woke him up. ”I am about three miles [almost 5km] 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 reported that the scene of the explosion was Buncefield oil terminal in Leverstock Green, near Hemel Hempstead. The news channel broadcast hazy video footage showing flames and smoke billowing into the air. Sky said the Ramada hotel in Hemel Hempstead 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.”
Hertfordshire police had no immediate comment. — Sapa-AP