Victims of major incidents like the Buncefield oil depot blast should get more help from the government, a report into the explosion has said.
Victims of major incidents like the Buncefield oil depot blast should get more help from the government, a report into the explosion has said.
Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board said "special status" should be given to an area around the Herts depot, with cash for those affected.
Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board said "special status" should be given to an area around the Herts depot, with cash for those affected.
A petrol leak from a tank at the Hemel Hempstead depot caused an explosion and fire at the site in December 2005.
A petrol leak from a tank at the Hemel Hempstead depot caused an explosion and fire at the site in December 2005.
About 2,000 homes were evacuated and 92 neighbouring firms affected.
About 2,000 homes were evacuated and 92 neighbouring firms affected.
The report adds the government should be more consistent in its handling of any similar major incident, with designated ministers following an emergency "through to the recovery phase".
The report adds the government should be more consistent in its handling of any similar major incident, with designated ministers following an emergency "through to the recovery phase".
Overfilled tank
Overfilled tank
A board spokeswoman said: "The greater part of the report deals with a major incident affecting the local area.
A board spokeswoman said: "The greater part of the report deals with a major incident affecting the local area.
"It calls for a special status (and central funding) for areas affected by a major incident and suggests this should begin without delay in the Buncefield area."
"It calls for a special status (and central funding) for areas affected by a major incident and suggests this should begin without delay in the Buncefield area."
The investigation board was set up by the Health and Safety Commission after the explosion triggered the largest peacetime fire in Europe.
The investigation board was set up by the Health and Safety Commission after the explosion triggered the largest peacetime fire in Europe.
Initial investigations showed apparently faulty gauge and safety devices led to a fuel storage tank being overfilled allowing unleaded petrol to escape before the explosion.
Initial investigations showed apparently faulty gauge and safety devices led to a fuel storage tank being overfilled allowing unleaded petrol to escape before the explosion.
Community's 'resilience'
Community's 'resilience'
No-one died in the blast but two people on the site suffered serious injuries, and thousands more had to leave their homes, with 30 families not able to return more than a year later.
No-one died in the blast but two people on the site suffered serious injuries, and thousands more had to leave their homes, with 30 families not able to return more than a year later.
The blast cost local businesses more than £70m.
The blast cost local businesses more than £70m.
Lord Newton, inquiry chairman, said: "Our report calls on those involved in dealing with major incidents to work together so that the emergency preparedness, response and recovery arrangements are made more effective.
Lord Newton, inquiry chairman, said: "Our report calls on those involved in dealing with major incidents to work together so that the emergency preparedness, response and recovery arrangements are made more effective.
"The Buncefield incident had a huge impact on the lives of local residents and businesses, and we would like to acknowledge the great resilience of the local community and business in the ongoing recovery effort to bring about a return to social normality."
"The Buncefield incident had a huge impact on the lives of local residents and businesses, and we would like to acknowledge the great resilience of the local community and business in the ongoing recovery effort to bring about a return to social normality."
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