Companies face prosecution over Buncefield

3 December 2008

Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency are to prosecute five companies following the December 2005 explosions and fire at the Buncefield Oil Storage Depot in Hertfordshire.

Criminal proceedings have been launched against Total UK, Hertfordshire Oil Storage, British Pipeline Agency, TAV Engineering and Motherwell Control Systems 2003.

The blast and resulting fire injured more than 40 people.

The initial court date has been fixed for 23 January.

HSE and the EA said in a written statement that they are unable to comment further on the decision to prosecute.