BP to move back into Buncefield

The depot fire blazed for days after the initial explosions

Operations at the Buncefield oil depot, much of which was damaged by fire last December, could begin again by the middle of 2007, BP has said.

The oil company said it was currently looking at the possibility of storing aviation fuel at the site in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Spokesman John Mumford said the BP part of the site had received only minor damage in the fire.

A major clean up of the damaged areas is well under way.

However, firms resuming operations at the depot must also satisfy planners and health and safety agencies that their procedures are low risk.