Four other firms also face criminal charges over massive site blast in 2005

A Dorset-based engineering firm is one of five companies to be prosecuted over the massive oil explosion at Buncefield which rocked the site in 2005.

The Environment Agency confirmed that criminal proceedings have begun against TAV Engineering, Total UK, Hertfordshire Oil Storage, the British Pipeline Agency and Motherwell Control Systems 2003.


Buncefield explosion
The fire took four days to extinguish

The December 2005 blast, at the site near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, was the largest explosion in Europe since the end of the Second World War.

It injured 43 people and nearby offices and warehouses were badly damaged. The M1 beside the site had to be closed and the fire took four days to put out.

TAV Engineering faces one charge of failing to adequately protect the health and safety of the public.

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