2005: Massive fire at Buncefield oil depot

A series of huge explosions leads to an enormous fire at one of Britain's largest oil depots, sending thick black smoke drifting up to 40 miles away.

Flames shot hundreds of feet into the sky at the Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.

The fire, which police believe was the result of an accident rather than a terrorist attack, is being described as the largest of its kind in peacetime Europe.

Police say 43 people were injured in the blasts. No-one was killed.

BBC Archive: This BBC News report was first broadcast on 11 December 2005.