Blast: Fighting The Flames

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http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...477543,00.html

Blast: Fighting The Flames
Updated: 15:49, Monday December 12, 2005

Firefighters battling the fuel depot blaze have had some success, extinguishing 10 of the 20 tank fires - but the inferno is still raging.

Huge amounts of foam and water are being blasted onto the flames but the smoke cloud continues to belch into the sky.

Some Sky News viewers have reported seeing lumps of foam land in their gardens - a public meeting will be held at 7pm tonight to give advice to residents and business owners.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has expressed his admiration for the work of the emergency services during a statement in the House of Commons.

Following his visit to the depot he said: "I was impressed with how organised they were and how they were getting on with a difficult job.


"The police, firefighters and ambulance workers fully deserve our fulsome praise and admiration."

He pledged on behalf of the Government to provide all the support needed to tackle the blaze and said there would be a full investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the cause.

Inside the Buncefield depot, the scene is "apocalyptic", firefighters have said. They are fighting harsh conditions in "uncharted territory".

Despite confidence that fire crews have all the equipment and supplies necessary, police have warned that the flames could still be burning tomorrow.

Spokesman Frank Whitely said success today "cannot be guaranteed" and he added: "This is one of the most complex and largest fires ever fought - certainly in this country."


Crews started dousing the flames at around 8am, starting with the smaller tanks, but there is still much to do.

The fire has been spewing thick black smoke over the South East since yesterday's explosions, raising fears of health hazards and an environmental crises.

Officials said crews are trying to smother the flames with a "foam blanket". The operation had been due to begin at midnight but was delayed after environmental concerns arose.

However, fire services said they are able to contain the water on site, preventing any pollution of the water table or nearby rivers.

The blast near Hemel Hempstead was so powerful it was heard as far away as Holland and the acrid smoke cloud is now heading out over the Channel.

Flames leapt more than 200ft in the sky and people living nearby had their windows and doors blown out and roofs damaged.

Around 2,000 people living near the site were evacuated - many have yet to return home but police have said they will begin allowing people to return to the surrounding area tomorrow morning.

Medical advisors have warned people to keep windows and doors closed because of the chemicals in the thick plume of smoke.

Doctors said that asthma sufferers and the elderly may be more susceptible to the effects of the black smoke.

The operation to tackle the fire will eventually bring down the temperature of the smoke and the cloud is likely dissipate, with the column of smoke dropping on the area surrounding the depot.

Incredibly, only two people were seriously injured among 43 casualties after flames shot hundreds of feet into the sky following the blasts near Hemel Hempstead.

One man who was standing 200 yards away from the blast site is being treated in the intensive care unit of Watford General Hospital for injuries to his lungs.

hopefully wont be long until its over, although its 1 hell of a fire