Sunday, December 11 2005 12:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: A series of loud explosions were heard near a town just north of London early today (Dec 11, 2005), with huge flames then seen pluming into the sky, a report said.

A reporter for Britain's Sky News television said he heard a 'low, loud rumbling' near the town of Saint Albans at around 6:00 am (1130 hours IST) followed by a 'massive' explosion.

Orange flames and smoke could then be seen in the sky up to a great height, just east of the town, the reporter added.

According to Sky, the blasts were thought to be located at Bunsfield fuel terminal, an oil depot located near Saint Albans. The area is also close to Luton Airport, a major air hub north of London, as well as the major M1 motorway, a section of which was closed following the blast.

Other witnesses reported hearing up to four separate blasts over the course of 30 minutes.

One witness told the television station that the force of one blast blew in windows at a hotel near Saint Albans, which is around 25 miles (40 kilometres) north of the British capital, with some injuries reported.