A law firm acting on behalf of the Buncefield disaster has attacked oil giants over delays in addressing compensation claims.

Collins Solicitors launched High Court action against Hertfordshire Oil Storage Limited (HOSL) this week with the backing of 45 people affected by the explosion.

That number is likely to quadruple during the course of the legal case which could take up to 18 months to complete after Collins lodged an application for a Group Litigation Order on Friday (Jan 27).

HOSL, a joint venture between Texaco and Total who run the site, have so far refused to speculate on the cause of the blast which rocked Hemel Hempstead on December 11.

The question of liability remains unanswered although British Pipeline Agency, who also have an interest in Buncefield, have denied responsibility for the accident and refuses to accept liability in this regard.

Senior partner at the law firm, Des Collins, told The Gazette this week: “They (HOSL) are dragging their heels.

“They have said they cannot reach a position on liability until such time as the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) have published their findings.

“That is nonsense.  Of course they know what happened and if they are liable.  They run the world’s oil industry and they have their own people investigating at the site.

“It’s going to take a long time for the legal process to be complete and that’s why we have started putting in place the legal mechanism.  We expect the first hearing will be in about six weeks.”

Mr Collins, who is a specialist in civil litigation acting for the victims of accidents, believes the oil industry would normally get together and pay claims for compensation, while waging a legal battle over liability behind the scenes.

According to him this has not happened so far in the case of Buncefield, leaving the victims still counting the cost of the disaster.

HOSL say they are not in a position to comment on the Litigation Order but have actively sought to assist those affected by the Buncefield incident as a gesture of goodwill.

They have made a £150,000 donation to the Mayor’s recovery fund and created home assistance telephone help lines on the wake of the disaster, but Mr Collins this does not go far enough.

Mr Collins added: “It is simply not good enough that almost two months after those multi-billion dollar industry blew apart not only the residents houses but also their lives, no offer whatsoever has been put forward.

“It is something which cannot and will not be allowed to continue.  If liability is to be a real issue between the residents and the industry then it is only sensible the matter is referred to the Courts at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The HSE launched an investigation into the blast within days of the blast.

Calls for a public inquiry have resurfaced after The Gazette was refused access to Buncefield by operators HOSL to observe investigation work being carried out.

While the HSE has jurisdiction over the site, owners HOSL have so far barred any public access tot eh depot, adding “Visits are limited to investigation teams and those involved in the clean-up operation.”