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From The Times
December 11, 2006

Oil companies criticised over slow compensation for blast

BUNCEFIELD Community leaders, police and fire officers and schoolchildren will today commemorate the anniversary of the Buncefield oil depot explosion and fire.

Progress has been slow in resolving compensation and rehousing, according to Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, who has asked the Government to update Parliament. The site owned by Total and Texaco has yet to be cleared of the rusting, shattered oil tanks and debris, as a result of environmental concerns. A government inquiry continues. Up to 30 people have still to return to their homes.

Mr Penning said: “The oil companies are being pedantic beyond belief. These are multibillion pound profit-making companies and they are questioning every claim line by line.”

A report into the explosion said that it had been caused by a storage tank overflowing for 40 minutes. More than 3,300 insurance claims, potentially involving up to £700 million, have been filed.

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