In pictures: Fuel depot blast
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After 32 hours of tackling the ferocious blaze at the Buncefield depot, firefighters extinguished all 20 tank fires, although another broke out again on Wednesday. -
The new blaze broke out in a previously undamaged tank. The fire brigade said it would be safer to allow it to burn out. -
Three out of 20 tanks were still burning on Tuesday morning and firefighters tackled the blaze in the largest tank last. -
nooooo oil price will rise in uk lol
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The tank fires were finally extinguished on Tuesday afternoon, although some smaller containers were still alight and a previously undamaged tank ignited on Wednesday. -
The scaling down of the operation meant some crews could take a break... -
...and also allowed emergency workers to take stock of the devastation caused by the blast on Sunday. -
Residents who had to leave their homes during the fire have been returning, but face a huge clear-up operation. -
The fire's plume of smoke weakened during Tuesday and traffic has moved freely on the M1, although junction 8 is still closed. -
Buncefield revisited
Danger zone
It will be months before the whole area around the Buncefield fuel depot in Hemel Hempstead is restored to normality.
An investigation has begun into what caused a series of explosions on 11 December, which rocked businesses and homes in the area, and sent many residents fleeing.
How is the clear-up coming along and will the catastrophe impact on Christmas celebrations? -
tank 12 burnt damn long. and for days after the blast we were told if it rains, all of us in London are Fucked.
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Soldiering on
"Christmas is cancelled" for Ian MacQueen (left), who will oversee the clear-up work at one firm.
As property project manager at IT company Steria he has an enormous task ahead of him. Although much of the building survived relatively unscathed, large sections were devastated.
As he squelches along carpets still soggy from the fire sprinklers that ruptured in the blasts, he explains it will take months to repair the ceilings, windows and walls, and to replace carpets and ruined equipment. -
Grim reminder
Chief executive John Torrie says contingency plans worked well, with systems rebuilt and staff set up to work within hours - "We were holding business meetings in people's lounges," he says.
At their head office cables and twisted pieces of wall and ceiling hang from above, as a stark reminder of what could have been had the building been full of workers when the depot exploded.
In one office a steel girder had swung down and penetrated the wall right above someone's computer terminal. -
Lucky escape
One member of staff was particularly keen to gain entry to his office after the blasts, says John.
"We thought he was just really dedicated. But it turned out he was planning to propose to his girlfriend at Christmas and he'd left the engagement ring in his desk!
"He said she'd been waiting for this for five years and would never believe him if he told her the ring was lost in the explosion."
The ring was safely retrieved. -
Days lost
John Morley's firm – which specialises in long service awards and presentations – was not severely damaged but they lost four days of business at one of the busiest times of the year.
They have workers in to remove roof tiles loosened in the blast and put sheeting in.
"I hope we're covered after paying insurance all these years. You look at 'explosions' in the policy in the same way you look at 'earthquake' – it's never going to happen!" -
'Glad we weren't here'
As more roads are opened workers return to look at the burnt-out shells that were the offices they worked in.
One Fujifilm worker gazed through the security fence and said although she had watched it on the news she wanted to see it for herself.
Emily Cahill, 26, and Rekha Mistry, 21, work for Northgate, one of the worst affected companies.
"Most of the damage was at the back, where we work. We're just glad we weren't in there," says Emily. -
Silver lining
For some the explosions have meant an increase in business.
Doug Burridge is from a scaffolding firm that works for insurance companies - they are currently working on John Morley's building.
"We hope we do get a lot of work, and if we have to work over Christmas we will.
"When the IRA used to bomb London we did a lot of the scaffolding, and some of the buildings here are worse than we saw then." -
Food opportunity
Eighteen-year-old Sadie Wilkins' family snack van arrived on the industrial estate from Dartford, Kent, this week, to feed all the hungry contract and demolition workers.
"We came here because of the explosions. We've got another one on the other side, that is for feeding the fire fighters and people like that."
She has not heard much said about the destruction around her – "They’re on their breaks aren't they? I think they want to forget about it." -
Dark days
It is hard to forget for Lisa Mitchell and her family. Their house 500m from Buncefield took a battering in the blasts, including ceilings falling down in the kitchen and in the children's bedrooms.
"We got out straight away. The children were worrying about where Father Christmas would come to, but everyone has moved hell and high water to get them back home.
"We've had some very dark days, if it hadn't been Christmas it might not have mattered so much, but it's just been looming." -
Long wait
Many residents will have to put up with their boarded-up windows and doors and damaged furniture over the Christmas period, with the clear-up resuming in the New Year.
Others will not be able to return home at all in time for the celebrations, such is the extent of the damage.