Oil Depot Ablaze North of London

A series of blasts rocked a fuel depot north of London early today, throwing orange flames high in the air, setting structures on fire and breaking windows miles away.

Residents in Hemel Hempstead, about 30 miles north of London, reported a loud boom about 6 a.m. at nearby Buncefield oil terminal. The first explosion was followed by several smaller blasts. The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear.

Many residents felt their houses shake.

“There was a loud boom and the house shook violently,” said Duncan Milligan, of Hemel Hempstead, who said the blast woke him up. “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.”

The M1, a main highway near the site of the blasts, was closed in both directions. A Hertfordshire police spokeswoman confirmed that rescuers were at the site of the blasts but authorities had no immediate reports on injuries or deaths.

“We have got no figure for casualties. Obviously we are at the scene but it is difficult to gauge because of all the smoke,” she said.

Mike Carlish, who lives less than 3 miles from the Buncefield depot, said he was awakened by a “blinding white flash” that had been powerful enough to knock the plaster off the ceiling in his house.

“Smoke is spiraling over 200 feet into the air. It is not under control,” he said.

A woman identified only as Heather told BBC television, “There are lots of houses damaged.”

Sky News reported that the blast blew out windows at the Ramada Hotel in Hemel Hempstead and that the structure was evacuated after injuries were reported there.

The blast reportedly was heard as far away as northwest London.