Watch: Footage from devastating Buncefield explosion 20 years after Hemel Hempstead fire
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the major explosion and subsequent fire which rocked Hemel Hempstead and the wider Hertfordshire area.
On December 11, an explosion heard from hundreds of miles away was triggered at the Buncefield Oil Depot.
It was recorded as the largest fire to ever take place peacetime in Europe and required the help of hundreds of emergency responders and a mass evacuation.
To mark a time when the national spotlight was on Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire County Council has re-released video footage showing the devastation and the first phone call emergency services received alerting them to the fast-spreading blaze. Both videos can be found on the authority’s YouTube channel.
No fatalities and no life-changing injuries were reported as a result of the historic blaze. It was, however, declared as a major incident just 6am 20 years ago and required 25 fire engines, 20 support vehicles and 180 firefighters to quash the blaze.
Over four days this number soared with 1,000 firefighters said to have assisted with the four day operation to make Hemel Hempstead safe.
In total, 22 fuel tanks containing 100 million litres of fuel burned, smoke covered large parts of the south of England.
According to contemporary reports the blast was also heard in the Netherlands and France, it registered at 2.4 on the Richter scale.
Hertfordshire County Council has paid tribute to the ‘incredible’ planning and expertise which it credits for bringing the fire under control without any loss of life.
Dacorum Borough Council has revealed that 30 families had to move due to the blaze and 370 businesses were affected, they employed 16,500 people.
Dacorum Borough Council leader, Councillor Sally Symington, said: “As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Buncefield fire, it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the exceptional response of our emergency services in battling such a large-scale and hazardous blaze, and our Council teams and partner organisations in supporting our residents and businesses. It is also a moment to reflect on the remarkable resilience shown by our community in the aftermath of such a significant incident in our borough and show our gratitude for the ongoing commitment and bravery of our Fire and Rescue Service personnel.”