Shell to be prosecuted over fire

Oil giant Shell is being accused of breaching environmental and health and safety legislation following an explosion and fire at a gas terminal, prosecutors said today.

The Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Shell UK was being jointly prosecuted by both authorities following the explosion and fire at the Bacton Gas Terminal, in Bacton, Norfolk in February 2008.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said magistrates in Norwich would hear details of the case on January 20.

More than 40 workers were evacuated from the terminal - which supplies about 10% of the UK's gas - as a result of the fire in a waste-water treatment plant. No-one was hurt.