SHOCKWAVES from a massive blast which ripped through a fuel terminal reached parts of Suffolk today, with reports of homes being shaken by the explosion.

SHOCKWAVES from a massive blast which ripped through a fuel terminal reached parts of Suffolk today, with reports of homes being shaken by the explosion.

The blast woke startled residents living close to Buncefield fuel terminal near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire as their homes literally shook from the force of the explosion, which sent flames shooting hundreds of feet into the air.

Residents in Felixstowe also reported hearing the explosion, which happened at 6.03am, and other reports suggested it was heard more than 100 miles from the blast site.

Police said there were 36 casualties from the blast, with four people seriously hurt.

Windows were shattered at a block of houses more than two miles from the fuel terminal.

A fire expert warned today that the blaze caused by the explosion, which police believe was caused by an accident, could take several days to bring under control.

It total, 20 petrol tanks are involved in the fire, with each thought to hold three million gallons of fuel.

Firefighters will be battling it with foam and may have to seek extra supplies from around Britain, said Duncan Milligan, press officer for the Fire Brigades Union.

He said: “There was an incident at Milford Haven some years ago and it burned for at least a week, and they needed to call on foam tenders from all over the UK.”

For full story see tomorrow's Evening Star.