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| Buncefield explosion remembered | Buncefield explosion remembered |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Fire crews and community leaders are taking part in events to mark the first anniversary of the Buncefield blast. | Fire crews and community leaders are taking part in events to mark the first anniversary of the Buncefield blast. |
| A leak of petrol from a tank at the oil depot near Hemel Hempstead, Herts, led to an explosion, which devastated the site and surrounding buildings. | A leak of petrol from a tank at the oil depot near Hemel Hempstead, Herts, led to an explosion, which devastated the site and surrounding buildings. |
| A plaque made out of part of a damaged oil tank has been unveiled at nearby Leverstock Green cricket pitch. | A plaque made out of part of a damaged oil tank has been unveiled at nearby Leverstock Green cricket pitch. |
| And the Maylands Business Park, which saw major damage and losses to firms of £70m, was relaunched in a ceremony. | |
| Nearly all companies have returned to Maylands, home to a workforce of more than 16,500. | |
| Tree trail | Tree trail |
| Commemorative events started at 0601 GMT - the exact time of the explosion - with speeches by Daniel Zammit, chief executive of Dacorum Borough Council and the mayors of Dacorum and nearby St Albans. | Commemorative events started at 0601 GMT - the exact time of the explosion - with speeches by Daniel Zammit, chief executive of Dacorum Borough Council and the mayors of Dacorum and nearby St Albans. |
| 11 December 2005 and the days and weeks that followed brought out the very best in the people of Hemel Hempstead Councillor Catherine ApplebyMayor of Dacorum Buncefield - one year on href="/1/hi/uk/6191898.stm" class="">Life after the oil depot blasts | |
| Mayor of Dacorum, Councillor Catherine Appleby, said that after the blasts people had "pulled together all over the community and in all sorts of ways". | |
| "The 11th of December 2005 and the days and weeks that followed brought out the very best in the people of Hemel Hempstead," she said. | |
| Afterwards, Mrs Appleby unveiled a plaque dedicating a newly-planted oak tree to the people of Buncefield. | Afterwards, Mrs Appleby unveiled a plaque dedicating a newly-planted oak tree to the people of Buncefield. |
| The tree is the first of a number to be planted as part of a new tree trail in Buncefield which aims to help counter the environmental effects of the explosion. | The tree is the first of a number to be planted as part of a new tree trail in Buncefield which aims to help counter the environmental effects of the explosion. |
| The massive blast left two people at the depot seriously injured and the smoke plume from the fire, which burned for three days, was visible across the south of England. | The massive blast left two people at the depot seriously injured and the smoke plume from the fire, which burned for three days, was visible across the south of England. |
| Compensation claims | Compensation claims |
| Large parts of Buncefield have been destroyed and the site remains out of operation as the Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency continue an investigation. | Large parts of Buncefield have been destroyed and the site remains out of operation as the Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency continue an investigation. |
| Local Conservative MP Mike Penning, who has complained of delays in settling some compensation claims - some 3,000 people are still awaiting payments - used the anniversary to renew his calls for a public inquiry. | |
| These tireless efforts were above and beyond the call of duty while working in very difficult and trying conditions Matt Wrack, FBU | These tireless efforts were above and beyond the call of duty while working in very difficult and trying conditions Matt Wrack, FBU |
| Meanwhile, Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack praised the co-operation between crews from across the country. | Meanwhile, Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack praised the co-operation between crews from across the country. |
| "These tireless efforts were above and beyond the call of duty while working in very difficult and trying conditions," he said. | "These tireless efforts were above and beyond the call of duty while working in very difficult and trying conditions," he said. |
| "As always, they showed they are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect their communities." | "As always, they showed they are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect their communities." |
| An anniversary service took place at Holy Trinity Church in Leverstock Green on Sunday night. | An anniversary service took place at Holy Trinity Church in Leverstock Green on Sunday night. |
| Were you affected by the Buncefield explosion a year ago? Are you yet to receive any compensation? Has your work and home life changed significantly since last year? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Were you affected by the Buncefield explosion a year ago? Are you yet to receive any compensation? Has your work and home life changed significantly since last year? Send us your experiences using the form below. |