HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (Reuters) - Fire crews in southern England are to begin fighting one of Europe's biggest peace time blazes on Monday after a wave of explosions ripped through a fuel depot.

A spectacular plume of smoke turned the sky black for miles around after blasts caused widespread damage and started a blaze which sent fireballs shooting into the air early on Sunday.

Police said it was too early to say what caused the explosions, which injured 43 people, one seriously, although they said it appeared to be an accident.