Cause of Buncefield explosions still unknown

The lead investigator in the inquiry into the explosions at the Buncefield oil depot has said that it is still unclear what caused the blasts.

Taf Powell said that he could not say "with sufficient confidence" exactly how the blasts, which rocked the oil depot last December, occurred. He said: "There appear to have been several explosions but the exact sequence of events has not yet been established."

It is understood that a "fog" of petrol and water, 200 yards wide, was seen over the depot prior to the explosions on December 11 last year.

It is also believed that fuel escaped from one of the tanks on the site.

It has also emerged that the Health and Safety Executive was investigating a small leak at the depot around two or three weeks before the blast.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, inquiry chairman Lord Newton said that there had been "extensive damage" at the site and the inquiry had been delayed because the site was still unsafe.

The investigation, which is being conducted by the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency, was launched following the explosions at the depot, the fifth largest duel distribution depot in the country.

No one was killed, but forty-three people were injured.

(KMcA/GB)