Sunday, December 11 2005 13:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Three large explosions struck an oil depot near Luton airport northwest of London today (Dec 11, 2005), police said fearing casualties.

"The first blast happened at the Buncefield oil depot, close to the junction 8 of the M1 motorway 20 kms from Luton Airport at 0600 GMT (11:30 IST)," they said.

Residents from the scene reported hearing a 'loud boom.'

Witnesses said another two explosions followed the first at 0626 GMT and 0627 GMT.

A spokesman said police at the scene have reported some casualties.

Eye witness Sam Matton, who lives near the depot told BBC, "The sky is sort of orange. The flames have got to be 60ft up in the air. I was in bed, I was actually having a bad dream and I thought the world had ended."

"The loft hatch in my house has actually fallen out, my neighbour's window has actually broken from the impact. I am about three miles from where the explosion took place but I can see flames high in the sky and smoke billowing everywhere," he said.

Duncan Milligan of Hemel Hempstead said ,"Here was a first major explosion and about three explosions after that."

The blast was so powerful that it was heard in many parts of London.

Another witness Dave Franklin said, "There was a massive loud bang which broke windows above us and to the right. The whole sky just turned orange and black. Several other neighbours said they did see a plane go into the depot."