What caused the Buncefield fire?
What caused the Buncefield fire?
The Buncefield oil depot explosion was caused when thousands of gallons of petrol overflowed a storage tank after automatic monitoring systems broke down, an official report has found. CCTV footage showed a misty white cloud spreading from the tank for more than 20 minutes before the explosion.
When was the Buncefield explosion?
December 11, 2005Buncefield fire / Start date
In the early hours of Sunday 11th December 2005, a number of explosions occurred at Buncefield Oil Storage Depot, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. At least one of the initial explosions was of massive proportions and there was a large fire, which engulfed a high proportion of the site.
How far was Buncefield heard?
125 miles
43 people were injured in total from the explosion, which measured 2.4 on the Richter scale and was heard 125 miles away.
How much did Buncefield cost?
The massive explosion at the Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in December 2005, caused £1bn of damage to the local economy, forcing some businesses into liquidation and residents into unemployment, local authorities have reported.
How many people died in the Buncefield explosion?
The first and largest explosion occurred at 06:01 UTC near tank 912, which led to further explosions which eventually overwhelmed 20 large storage tanks….Buncefield fire.
| Date | 11 December 2005 |
| Time | 06:01 UTC |
| Location | Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Casualties | |
|---|---|
| 43 injuries |
What happened to the environment in and around Buncefield after the accident?
About 33 million L of fire water were recovered after the fire and the rest soaked into the ground, polluting the soil and groundwater. The explosion and fire destroyed most of the fuel storage site as well as industrial and domestic properties off-site, including a major office block.
How long did buncefield burn?
Eventually Tank 912 filled up completely, the petrol overflowed through vents at the top, and formed a vapour cloud near ground level, which ignited and exploded. The fires from the explosion then lasted for five days.
Does natural gas explode?
A natural gas leak can create an explosion if there is an ignition source and the leak is severe enough. While this is fairly rare, gas leaks are incredibly dangerous and should be handled with great care.
How did buncefield happen?
A vapour cloud formed which ignited causing a massive explosion and a fire that lasted five days. The gauge had stuck intermittently after the tank had been serviced in August 2005.
What was the Buncefield incident?
The Buncefield fire was a major fire at an oil storage facility on 11 December 2005 at the Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal, located near the M1 motorway, Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire, England. The flames had been extinguished by the afternoon of 13 December 2005.
Are gas explosions rare?
Although the likelihood of a gas explosion is pretty rare, it’s very important to first, make sure your home is as safe as it can be, and then, be aware of any warning signs and act quickly if you suspect there is a problem.
