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Smoke clouds obscure the sun to the south of Brookmans Park

Houses in Brookmans Park felt the force of a number of explosions at an oil depot near junction 8 on the M1 at Hemel Hempstead on Sunday morning, 11 December.

The first was at 06:03 followed by two more at 06:26 and 06:27.

Windows in Brookmans Park shook following the blast and some said it felt as though a sudden storm had whipped up while others felt the house 'tremble'.

Brookmans Park Forum users reported hearing the blast and feeling it shake their windows as far south as Kew and Harrow.

The scene looking down Moffats Lane as smoke clouds drift from the Buncefield explosions

The BBC says the blast was felt in Surrey and Cambridge as an estimated 20 petrol tanks, each said to hold three million gallons of fuel, caught fire.

Sky News reported that people in Holland and Belgium had heard the blast.

The area around the Hemel Hempstead site was evacuated and police advised residents living nearby to keep their windows and doors closed because of fumes.

Thick clouds of smoke spread to the south-east and south-west.

The scene looking south of Brookmans Park

For the latest updates on the explosions, the fire and the aftermath, check BBC News Online.

The incident led to the M1 being closed in both directions and the A414 was closed between Hemel and St Albans.

For the latest travel news, check the BBC's travel site.

Hertfordshire police said about 70 schools in the Hemel Hempstead and St Albans areas would also be closed on Monday, 12 December.

Did you experience the aftershock of the explosion, or were you nearer the scene? If so, please add your comments to the forum thread on this issue.

11 December 2005