20 July 2007
The Cabinet Office has ordered an urgent review of the UK's civil contingencies planning following a report on the Buncefield oil depot blast, which revealed widespread public confusion about ministerial responsibilities after major incidents.
In response to the report, the Cabinet Office, which houses the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, has promised 'as a matter of urgency, to look in detail at the recommendations and consider its response'.
Government sources said the review could also help to clarify the role of government bodies and agencies in the wake of this summer's floods across England.
The study, by the independent Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board, set up after the blast in Hertfordshire in December 2005, was published on July 17.
It calls on central government, local authorities, public agencies and the emergency services to improve their co-ordinated response to the initial emergency – and to have clearer guidelines about the longer-term return to normal local services following a major incident.
The report criticises national guidance over the possible effects of smoke plumes across a locality, for example. Uncertainties led to a delay in making a decision over whether to fight the fire at Buncefield or let it burn out.
While the report states that ministers played a valuable role in informing Parliament about progress following the fire, it also states that 'there was, however, a perception – particularly among those directly affected – that once the spotlight had moved on, central government lost interest.'
It concludes: 'This was not supported by our findings, but as different ministers became involved, it was unclear who had the responsibility to ensure that problems were addressed.'
The fire at Buncefield was the largest in Europe since the Second World War, and required hundreds of residents to be evacuated from their homes. The fire was so intense that billowing smoke could be seen across London and the Southeast.
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