Oil blast firms guilty
THREE companies were facing unlimited fines yesterday over health and safety breaches that led to the Buncefield oil depot explosion.
The blast, on December 11 2005, the largest in peacetime Europe, measured 2.4 on the Richter scale and could be heard 125 miles away.
No one was killed but jurors were told the environmental damage was still unknown and could last for decades.
TAV Engineering Ltd, of Guildford, Surrey, was found guilty of failing to protect workers and the public, while Motherwell Control Systems 2003 Ltd was found guilty of the same charge. Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited was found guilty of failing to prevent major accidents and limit effects.
The company also pleaded guilty to polluting waters around the depot in Hemel Hempstead.
Total UK and the British Pipeline Agency have already admitted related charges.
Sentencing is at St Albans Crown Court on July 16.