It seems half of the South East of England all woke up at the same time this morning, at just past 6am. Why? A massive explosion in a fuel depot in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire could be heard across 3 or 4 counties.
I live about 15 miles away from the oil depot and I was woken by the sound, as were others in my family, scattered around the town. The sound of the explosion was so loud it was carried up to 40 miles away. There are even claims it could be heard as far away as Holland! Experts say the reason why the sound travelled so far was due to a 'temperature inversion,' which means because of the cold frosty weather, the cold layer at ground level is trapped by a warmer layer above it, and this acts like a cap, trapping the soundwaves, and pushing them outwards rather then upwards as would normally be the case.
In the industrial estate where the fuel depot is located, windows and fire doors were blown out, cars caught fire and roofs caved in. The police have advised those living in the area to stay indoors, such are the health risks from breathing in some of the smoke. The M1 is closed in both directions. Miraculously, it seems there are no fatalities.
I live about 15 miles away from the oil depot and I was woken by the sound, as were others in my family, scattered around the town. The sound of the explosion was so loud it was carried up to 40 miles away. There are even claims it could be heard as far away as Holland! Experts say the reason why the sound travelled so far was due to a 'temperature inversion,' which means because of the cold frosty weather, the cold layer at ground level is trapped by a warmer layer above it, and this acts like a cap, trapping the soundwaves, and pushing them outwards rather then upwards as would normally be the case.
In the industrial estate where the fuel depot is located, windows and fire doors were blown out, cars caught fire and roofs caved in. The police have advised those living in the area to stay indoors, such are the health risks from breathing in some of the smoke. The M1 is closed in both directions. Miraculously, it seems there are no fatalities.
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