Britain's Prince Charles visits blast site

Jun 23, 2006, 16:53 GMT

Britain's Prince Charles is to visit businesses affected by an oil depot blast last year (05).

The royal will travel to the explosion site in Hertfordshire, South England, today (23.06.06).

Regional business community suffered huge financial damage, after several oil tanks exploded in the industrial site, causing a destructive inferno.

Businesses lost more than £70 million and, according to the BBC website, Charles himself was affected by the blast - when a £5 million distribution centre, owned by him, went up in flames.

The royal will today speak to trade representatives and hear plans on rebuilding the site.

Meanwhile, the heir to the British throne met with a Holocaust survivor earlier today - to hear his story.

95-year-old Leon Greenman - who survived six concentration camps during the Second World War - told the Charles how he lost his wife Else and baby son Barney to the Nazis.

The emotional meeting took place at the Jewish Museum in North London, where the pensioner has had an exhibition dedicated to his experiences.

Pieces of memorabilia on display include Else's wedding dress and a Barney's baby outfit.

Greenman was quoted as saying: 'All I've got are photographs and memories. The baby didn't live three years when his mother and him were gassed by the Nazis'.

The pensioner, who has been awarded an OBE - national congratulant medal - says he feels it is his duty to educate younger generations about the Holocaust.

He said: 'I've got to be here. It's my way of fighting fascism. Too many people don't know about what happened in the camps. It's so colossal that it's difficult to believe what man did to man.'

Prince Charles - apparently moved by the story - seemed emotional as he paid respect to the pensioner.

He said: 'I'm so glad to have the chance of meeting you.'

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