UK launches prosecution over huge oil depot fire

Criminal proceedings have also commenced against Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd., British Pipeline Agency Ltd., TAV Engineering Ltd., and Motherwell Control Systems 2003 Ltd., the agency said.

A series of explosions at the Buncefield oil depot on Dec. 11, 2005, triggered the biggest blaze in Europe since World War II, sending a smoke plume drifting across France. Forty-three people were injured, two of them seriously.

Investigators reported in 2006 that about 300 tons of gasoline had spilled from a tank, but were unable to pinpoint the cause of the ignition at the depot in Hemel Hempstead, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of London.

The first court appearance was set for Jan. 23 at West Hertfordshire Magistrates Court, the agency said.

Total UK was charged with three offenses: failing to ensure a safe workplace for its employees, failing to protect the health and safety of visitors to the site and causing pollution of groundwater with fuel and firefighting chemicals.

Hertfordshire Oil Storage and British Pipeline Agency Ltd were charged with failing to take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents, and causing pollution to groundwater.

TAV Engineering and Motherwell Control Systems were charged with failing to protect the health and safety of people not in their employ.

___