IT companies' HQs hit by oil blast

IT companies were among the businesses that suffered damage in the massive explosions at the oil depot near Hemel Hempstead this weekend.

Northgate Information Solutions said its head office building was "seriously damaged" by the explosions. The company provides IT services to the HR and public sector markets.

Four Northgate employees were on-site at the time of the explosion, and all were accounted for soon after the incident. Three were hospitalised as a result of their injuries but they have since been discharged, the company said.

The company added the fabric of the building and the fixtures and equipment inside have been "badly damaged". And it added: "The back-up systems that were in place have also been rendered inoperable."

In a statement the company said: "Northgate's ability to service its customers has therefore been temporarily affected. As a result, its well developed and previously rehearsed business continuity plan has been initiated. This will allow Northgate to restore its services using remote data centres and the other offices that Northgate has around the country,"

The company said its financial exposure "is limited by its insurance policies that provide sufficient cover for the building and its contents as well as for any business interruption".

Northgate said the long-term impact of this incident is "unlikely to be material."

Networking company 3Com said that its EMEA headquarters was also damaged in the explosions, but that there were no reports of employee casualties or injuries.

3Com said in a statement: "The company's emergency response team has initiated communication with all employees and contractors, and has activated its back-up systems to ensure business continuity. The company currently anticipates minimal impact on its customers as it works to restore full business operations."

The company said around 300 staff worked at the site - about a quarter of a mile from the blasts. The workers are mainly in its sales, marketing and product operations groups.

Online fashion retailer ASOS said its warehouse also had been damaged by the explosions and that until it understands the scope of the damage it has decided to suspend all services on its website.