Lusty Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 The big oil storage depot near Hemel Hempstead blew up at 6am this morning(No one killed). Early rumours suggest that Spirit of Townhall(who lives not far away)was picking up one of the employees after nightshift but as he got there a bit early decided to hide behind one of the tankers for a quick smoke::! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkokbutcher Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 Yep, 'tis true, i've just replaced all me burnt pc cables . Sure was a hell of a bang that followed the explosion and it's gonna take a couple of days to get the damn thing out. I must admit that various things were flying around in my mind at the time as to what the fcuk it was, including a terrorist ridden aircraft taking it's final dive into Heathrow, or was it perhaps a stray cruise missile that had missed it's target enroute to bin laden's den, but no, gratefully I was very wrong. Like Lusty said, noone was killed and only a minimal number of people injured (thankfully), mainly due to the timing of the incident, 6am Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 Some fire...still going ..... Keep your head down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayjann Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 it takes the biggest European Explosion since WW2 to get Mr.Butcher to post again.......... still burning after 2 Days and looking at the damage caused it was lucky it happened when it did. the Industrial Estate surrounding it was decimated and i hate to think how many lives would have been lost if it had happened on an ordinary Work Day........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lazyphil Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 35% of Heathrows aviation fuel is sourced from there I read, yikes, could scupper a LOS sanuk mission for some :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLeakHunt Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 Can I tell my joke about the two Spanish firemen called Hose A and Hose B ? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 SiLeakHunt said:Can I tell my joke about the two Spanish firemen called Hose A and Hose B ? Cheers I would rather you didn't. Muchas gracias. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkokbutcher Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 sayjann said:it takes the biggest European Explosion since WW2 to get Mr.Butcher to post again.......... No need for that sayjann, at least I can respond to an email Anyway, just to give you guys an insight on the problems it has caused locally, have a read of this (I didnt post a link as it's been updated approx 15 times already today) be advised that the following list has approximately a 1/4 of the road closures that was in effect this time yesterday, but none the less, it's still quite a list...: Buncefield Depot Explosion and Fire: services affected This page was last updated: Tuesday 16:10 Due to heavy demand on our website, we have had to restrict access to our online services. We apologise for any inconvenience. Information update: 15:30 13 December 2005 All Hertfordshire schools will reopen tomorrow other than those which were significantly damaged by the blast. The schools that will NOT re-open tomorrow are * Leverstock Green * St Luke's * Heathlands Special * Woodfield is closed Wednesday only (subject to inspection.) * Townsend C of E (VA) Secondary We are still awaiting information on * Collett We have been working towards reopening but the safety of children and young people has been paramount and we have followed health guidance. Libraries are also due to reopen tomorrow. * Day Centres affected » * Special Schools affected » * Road Closures » * HCC Staff Advice » * Health Advice from HPA » Help and Advice for local residents The county council is still advising residents to stay in, shut windows and doors and tune into local radio stations. If windows are shattered, put plastic/polythene over them to stop the smoke entering your home. Local radio stations include Chiltern Radio 97.6 BBC 3 Counties 103.8 The advice from doctors is that people in the plume could be affected by smoke-related symptoms, such as eye, skin or respiratory tract irritation, while people in surrounding areas could find that existing conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis could be made worse. Our advice is that the air quality in the county is not good at the moment. Avoid breathing in the smoke - if residents need health advice they are advised to call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Teachers and parents are asked to keep an eye on children with asthma, respiratory or bronchial problems, and shorten outdoor playtimes, lunchbreaks and activities. Additional health advice can be found below or on www.hpa.org.uk. Private householders whose houses have been damaged are advised to take whatever immediate action they can themselves (e.g. calling out local glaziers, etc), and then contact their insurance companies. Any householders with major structural concerns about their homes should contact Dacorum Borough Council?s building control service on 01442 228221/01442 228222. Council tenants are advised to contact Dacorum Borough Council on 0800 0186050 Total Oil has set up an insurance helpline 0870 4000499. This helpline will provide access to loss adjusters. The advice to residents of privately owned properties is to make contact with their own household insurance company who will make contact with Total?s loss adjusters. Advice from Trading Standards BEWARE ROGUE TRADERS. Trading Standards know from past experience that at times of crisis, like now, there are always those who look to take advantage of the situation for their own ends. So we would offer the following advice: * First "are you covered by your insurance"; * Make sure you read your policy. * If you believe you are covered then contact your insurance company to see if there are any special circumstances you need to follow before getting repairs carried out. * Make a note of who you spoke to at the insurance company, and when. * Take Photographs of any damage before any work is carried out, if possible. Do not accept the help of a doorstep trader just because of these difficult times. You may still be ripped off. Make sure you follow the checks (outlined further below) as normal. If you have a situation already and want to know where you stand, there are a number of options; * Ring Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. * opening hours are:08.00 - 18.30 Monday to Friday (09.00 - 13.00 Saturday) Non-residents are asked to avoid the area if at all possible. For additional advice for local residents please also see Dacorum Borough Council's website www.dacorum.gov.uk and the Herts Police Authority's website www.herts.police.uk. Day Centres affected The following day centres are CLOSED again on Tuesday * Jarman Day Centre - CLOSED TUESDAY * Greenhills - CLOSED TUESDAY * Butterwick Day Services - CLOSED TUESDAY The following day centres will be open on Tuesday * Jubilee Day Services - open * Borehamwood Day Services - open * Balmoral Day Services - open * Shepherd Centre - open * Northwick Day Centre - open Libraries affected on Tuesday The following libraries will be closed on Tuesday * Adeyfield * Hemel Central * Leverstock Green * Redbourn * Abbots Langley - Notified as closed at 9:45 The Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley mobile libraries will not run on Tuesday. The children's art competition and presentation due to be held at Hemel Hemsptead Library tonight at 6pm is cancelled. As this is a constantly changing situation we will be updating these messages regularly and residents can also ring 01438 737555 or (from area codes 01923 and 0208) 01923 471555 from 8am to 8pm weekdays, and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. Nursery schools closed on Tuesday * Batford Nursery * Birchwood Nursery * Heath Lane Nursery * Kingswood * London Colney Nursery * Muriel Green * Oxhey Nursery * Tenterfield Nursery School Advice to Early Years and Out of School Settings Following advice from health experts Hertfordshire County Council has taken the decision to close all schools within a 10 mile radius of the Buncefield Oil depot in Hemel Hempstead. If you are based within this area you may want to consider whether it is appropriate to be open. You can obtain up to date information on this website. Any provider of early years education and childcare or out of school care should consider the following: * Ensure you have an up to date list of parental contacts and emergency collection details. * Up to date accessible medical information for children with medical conditions which may be exacerbated by pollution such as asthma, chest complaints, allergies skin disorders. * Shorten outdoor play and outdoor learning activities at this time. * Consider your plans for informing parents in the event of disruption to your service. Telephone pyramids are a useful tool as well as local media. Primary Schools Closed on Tuesday * Abbey C of E Voluntary Aided Primary (The) * Abbots Langley * Aboyne Lodge * Alban Wood Primary and Nursery * Aldbury C of E Primary * Applecroft * Arnett Hills JMI * Ashfield Junior * Aycliffe Drive Primary * Barncroft Primary * Bedmond Village Primary School * Beech Hyde Primary and Nursery * Beechfield * Bellgate Primary * Belswains Primary * Bernard's Heath Infant * Bernards Heath Junior School * Berrygrove Primary and Nursery * Birchwood Avenue Primary * Bournehall Primary * Bovingdon Primary * Bowmansgreen Primary * Boxmoor Primary * Breachwood Green JMI * Broadfield Infants' * Broadfield Junior * Brockswood Primary * Bromet Primary * Brookmans Park * Bushey Heath Primary * Bushey Manor Junior * Camp Primary and Nursery * Cassiobury Infant & Nursery * Cassiobury JM * Central Primary * Chambersbury Primary * Chater Infant * Chater Junior * Chaulden Infants' and Nursery * Chaulden Junior * Cherry Tree Primary * Chipperfield St Paul's VA C of E Primary * Chorleywood Primary * Christ Church Church of England * Clore Shalom * Coates Way JMI and Nursery * Cockernhoe Endowed C of E Primary * Codicote C of E Primary VAC * Colney Heath JMI * Countess Anne VA C of E Primary * Cowley Hill Primary * Crabtree Infants' * Crabtree Junior * Creswick Primary and Nursery School * Cunningham Hill Infant * Cunningham Hill Junior * De Havilland Primary * Divine Saviour RC Primary * Eastbrook Primary * Eastbury Farm JMI & Nursery * Fair Field Junior * Field Infant and Nursery * Field Junior * Flamstead Village School * Fleetville Infant & Nursery * Fleetville JM * Gaddesden Row JMI * Gade Valley JMI and Nursery * Garden Fields JMI * George Street Primary * Great Gaddesden C of E Primary * Green Lanes Primary * Greenfields * Greenway First & Nursery * Grove Infant & Nursery(The) * Grove Junior (The) * Grove Road Primary * Hammond JMI & Nursery * Hartsbourne Primary * Harvey Road Primary * Hertsmere Jewish Primary (VA) * High Beeches Primary * Highwood Primary * Hobbs Hill Wood Primary * Hobletts Manor Infant & Nursery * Hobletts Manor Junior * Holtsmere End Infant and Nursery * Holtsmere End Junior * Holy Rood RC Infant * Holy Rood RC Junior * Holywell Primary * How Wood Primary * Howe Dell Primary * Jupiter Drive JMI * Kenilworth * Killigrew Infant & Nursery * Killigrew Junior * Kimpton Primary * Kings Langley Primary * Kingsway Infant * Kingsway Junior * Knutsford * Laurance Haines School * Lea Primary (The) * Leavesden Green Primary * Leverstock Green Church of England Primary * Lime Walk Primary * Little Gaddesden CE Voluntary Aided Primary * Little Green Junior School * Little Reddings Primary * London Colney JMI * Malvern Way Infant & Nursery * Mandeville Primary * Manland Primary * Maple School(St Albans) * Maple Cross JMI * Margaret Wix Primary * Markyate Village School & Nursery * Martindale Primary and Nursery * Merry Hill Infant School & Nursery * Meryfield Primary School * Micklem Primary * Mount Pleasant Lane JMI * Monksmead (Borehamwood) * Nascot Wood Infant & Nursery * Nascot Wood Junior * Nash Mills C of E Primary * Newberries Primary * Oakwood Primary * Orchard Primary * Our Lady's RC Primary (Welwyn Garden City) * Oxhey Infant * Oxhey Wood Primary * Park Street C of E V A Primary School & Nursery * Parkgate Infants & Nursery * Parkgate Junior * Parkside Community Primary * Peartree Primary * Pixies Hill Primary School * Potten End First C of E * Prae Wood Primary * Redbourn Infant & NurserySchool * Redbourn JM * Rickmansworth Park JMI * Rossgate Primary * Roundwood Primary * Russell (The) * Ryde (The) * Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School & Nursery (Bushey) * Sandridge * Sarratt Church of England * Saffron Green * Sauncey Wood Primary (Previously Batford JMI) * Shenley Primary * Shepherd Primary School * Skyswood Primary * South Hill Primary * St Adrian's RC Primary School & Nursery (St Albans) * St Alban & St Stephen RC Infant & Nursery (St Albans) * St Alban & St Stephen RC Junior (St Albans) * St Albert the Great RC Primary (Bennetts End) * St Anthony RC Primary (Watford) * St Bartholomew's C of E VA Primary (Wiggington) * St Bernadette RC Nursery and Primary (London Colney) * St Catherine of Siena RC JMI (Watford) * St Cuthbert Mayne RC Junior (Gadebridge) * St Dominic RC Primary (Harpenden) * St Giles' C of E Primary (South Mymms) * St Helen's Church of England Primary (Wheathampstead) * St John Fisher RC Primary (St Albans) * St John's C of E Infant and Nursery (Radlett) * St John's RC Primary (Mill End) * St John's VA C of E Primary (Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City) * St Joseph's RC Primary (Watford) * St Mary's C. of E. Primary (Rickmansworth) * St Mary's Church of England Primary (North Mymms) * St Mary's VA C of E First School (Northchurch) * St Meryl School (Carpenders Park) * St Michael's C of E VA Primary (St Albans) * St Nicholas C of E VA Primary (Harpenden) * St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary (Elstree) * St Paul's C of E Primary (Hunton Bridge) * St Paul's Walden Primary (Whitwell) * St Peter's (St Albans) * St Peter's C of E VA Primary (Mill End) * St Philip Howard RC Primary (Hatfield) * St Rose's Catholic Infants (Boxmoor) * St Teresa's RC Primary (Borehamwood) * St Thomas More RC Primary (Berkhamsted) * Stream Woods Primary (Hatfield) * Summerswood * Swing Gate First and Nursery * Tanners Wood JMI * Templewood Primary * The Reddings Primary & Nursery School * Tudor Primary * Two Waters Primary * Victoria C of E First School * Warren Dell Primary * Welwyn St Mary's C of E VA Primary * Westfield First * Wheatfields Infants' & Nursery School * Wheatfields JM * Windermere JMI * Wood End * Woodhall Primary * Woodlands * Yorke Mead Primary Secondary Schools Closed on Tuesday * Adeyfield * Ashlyns * Astley Cooper (The) * Beaumont * Bishop's Hatfield Girls * Bridgewater * Bushey Hall * Bushey Meads * Cavendish (The) * Francis Bacon * Francis Combe School and Community College * Hemel Hempstead (The) * Hertswood * John F Kennedy Roman Catholic * Kings Langley * Longdean * Loreto College * Marlborough * Monks Walk * Nicholas Breakspear RC * Onslow St Audrey's * Parmiter's * Queens' * Rickmansworth * Roundwood Park * Sandringham * Sir John Lawes * St Albans Girls' * St Clement Danes (Chorleywood) * St George's (Harpenden) * St Joan of Arc RC (Rickmansworth) * St Michael's Catholic High School (Watford) * Stanborough Community School (WGC) * Stanborough (Private) School (Watford) * Thomas Coram C of E VA Middle(The) * Townsend C of E (VA) Secondary * Verulam * Watford Grammar School for Boys * Watford Grammar School for Girls * Westfield Community Technology College Special Schools Closed on Tuesday * Batchwood * Boxmoor House * Breakspeare * Collett (The) * Colnbrook * Falconer * Forest House Education Centre * Garston Manor * Haywood Grove * Heathlands * Lakeside * Meadow Wood * Southfield * St Luke's * Watling View * Woodfield Roads Closed All Junctions along A5183 between St Albans and Redbourn Punch Bowl Lane Hog End Lane Breakspear Way between M1 and St Albans Road A414 Closure signs are in place for Woodlane End Green Lane Buncefield Lane Junction Lanes along Hemel Hempstead Road - Redbourn B487 Three Cherrytree Lanes Cherry Lane Holstmere End Lane Hemel Hempstead Road A4147 Westwick Row junction with Pancake Lane and Green Lane Maylands Ave closed at junction of A414 Breakspear Way, Wood Lane End, and B487 Queeensway These areas include residential and business park Staff Notice following the fire at Buncefield For the latest information ring the staff helpline on 01992 556616. Following the incident at Buncefield Fuel Depot, the County Council has taken the precaution of closing a number of County Council operated establishments including Day Centres, Educational establishments and libraries in the area affected by the incident itself and those in the likely path of the plume of smoke. This is likely to change on a daily basis. The staff helpline (with a recorded message with information) is 01992 556616. This decision will be reviewed daily as more information becomes available. This is for health reasons and to avoid people having to travel in or near the affected area and to reduce congestion on the roads. If you are scheduled to work at one of the establishments affected by closure, you should not report to work. You should contact your manager for further instructions. Staff with existing respiratory problems e.g. Asthma are advised not to go into the affected area. The expectation is that roads in and around the affected areas will continue to be highly congested. All staff are therefore advised to avoid any non-essential travel in the area. Specialist health advice The following advice is taken from the Health Protection Agency website www.hpa.org.uk. A major fire has been burning at a site in Hemel Hempstead since the early hours of Sunday 11 December 2005. This has resulted in a plume of dense smoke, the direction of which continues to change. For further updated information, please see the Met Office website. The larger particles, which are obvious when deposited on cars, washing and the outside environment, pose a minimal risk. It is the much smaller particles that can be inhaled which may cause problems to susceptible individuals. People at most risk would be those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pre-existing cardiac conditions such as angina. Healthy people exposed to these particles are unlikely to experience any long-term health effects. Q. I was in Hemel Hempstead at the time the fire was burning. Am I at risk? A. Smoke from whatever source poses a risk when inhaled. This is because the particulate matter it contains acts as an irritant. If enough smoke is inhaled, this can cause a sensation of tightness of the chest, difficulty with breathing, or coughing. If you did not experience any symptoms at the time you were in the area you are unlikely to have any health effects now. Q. I suffer from a respiratory problem/cardiac problem. Will this fire affect me? A. People most at risk from inhalation of particles are those with existing respiratory problems such as asthma or chronic bronchitis or cardiac problems such as angina. The advice to them is to avoid exposure if possible. If people can see the smoke or can see evidence of soot particles on windowsills or external surfaces they should stay indoors with windows and doors closed and any air-conditioning either switched off or set to internally re-circulate the air until the fire has been brought under control. If your asthma has been aggravated by inhaling the smoke you may need to use your inhaler more often to control the symptoms. If your symptoms are sufficiently severe you may need to see your GP or go to a local out-of-hours centre for further treatment. If your angina has been aggravated by inhaling the smoke you may need to increase the amount of medication you take to control your condition. If your symptoms are sufficiently severe you may need to see your GP or go to a local out-of-hours centre for further treatment. Q. I can see smoke out of my window. Should I attempt to get away from this? A. No. The safest place to be is indoors where you will be protected from the worst of the smoke if you keep the doors and windows closed. Going out into the smoke increases the risk that you will inhale it and this may cause you problems. Q. Will I suffer any long-term effects from breathing the smoke? A. Those people who are affected will mostly have immediate effects such as coughing or a tight chest. These symptoms usually disappear very soon after the exposure has ceased and do not lead to any long-term health problems. If your symptoms persist you may need to see your doctor. Q. I am pregnant. Will this affect my baby? A. No. Your baby is at no greater risk than you are from the smoke and is generally protected by you from any exposure. Q. My children were playing outside when the smoke cloud came over. Are they at risk? A. No. If they did not experience any symptoms at the time of the exposure they are unlikely to have any now. Q. My garden is covered in a layer of black soot. Is this harmful to me or my animals? A. The soot is basically just carbon dust, although it may contain some irritant chemicals. Because of its size it is unlikely that it could be inhaled if disturbed and so would be unlikely to cause any respiratory symptoms. It can safely be washed off cars and furniture. Further tests are taking place to establish what, if any, chemicals are in the soot. Q. Will I still be able to eat fruit and vegetables from my garden? A. If any fruits and vegetables in the garden have been covered by a sooty deposit it would be advisable to wash them thoroughly and peel them before they are eaten. Q. Is it safe for children to go to school near the fuel depot? A. If the fire is still burning the police and fire service will decide whether it is safe for children to attend school and will advise when it is safe to reopen the school. Q. Is it safe for me to go to the site or drive past it? A. It would be advisable to avoid unnecessary travel near to the area involved in the fire both to reduce exposure to smoke and to aid the emergency services in dealing with the incident. Q. My house was damaged by the blast. When can I return home? A. The police have set up a cordon around the site and until this has been lifted it would be unwise to attempt to return to your home. People in rest centres will be advised when it is safe for them to return home. Q. What is the reasoning underlying the advice that schools should be treated differently from workplaces, nurseries and old people's homes? A. All such decisions are on a precautionary principle and need value judgement. 1. Children have higher surface/volume ratio and therefore are at greater risk, they are also more susceptible to many chemicals on a dose/weight basis. 2. Children at school have to be outside at points during the day. With adults this is voluntary. 3. Schools produce a significant proportion of peak traffic and this would exacerbate the likely traffic problems. 4. There will be more precipitation of pollution closer to the plant and this is the basis of the geographical decision. 5. Nurseries are normally local to parents and they can obey the "stay in" principle. © Health Protection Agency Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli13 Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 Hope your area recovers soon butcher Untill then keep indoors survailing np.com & other webs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkokbutcher Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 Sounds like the fire's finally been all burnt out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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