U.K. Oil Depot Blaze May Be Extinguished Today, Fire Chief Says

U.K. Oil Depot Blaze May Be Extinguished Today, Fire Chief Says

Dec. 13 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. firefighters say they aim to extinguish Europe's biggest peacetime industrial blaze today, allowing businesses and residents to begin assessing damage.

A series of blasts Sunday morning ignited the Buncefield fuel depot near Hemel Hempstead, north of London, injuring 41 people, forcing 2,000 from their homes and shutting dozens of businesses. Police said the cause was accidental.

The fire service, using foam and water, has extinguished flames in 17 fuel tanks, and is making progress with the last three tanks still ablaze, said Roy Wilsher, Hertfordshire's chief fire officer.

``We are relatively confident we'll be able to do it today,'' said Wilsher in a televised press conference.

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