Firefighters are currently working to extinguish a significant fire at the Tata Steel facility in Port Talbot, South Wales. The fire started at one of the processing lines around 8pm and was responded to by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, according to Tata Steel. All employees were safely evacuated.
On Wednesday evening, thick black smoke billowed from the plant, causing concern among residents who reported being able to taste it in the air. Sirens could be heard from 7pm onwards, continuing into the night, with some residents noting that they were still sounding just before midnight.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for South Wales Police advised residents to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the area if possible. Tata Steel clarified that the fire was unrelated to the controlled demolition of an old gas holder on the site the previous evening.
The company expressed gratitude towards its staff and emergency services for their swift and professional handling of the situation. Additionally, Tata Steel confirmed to the BBC that the fire erupted at one of the processing lines in Port Talbot around 8pm and was managed by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. All employees were safely evacuated.
A local resident in Maesteg mentioned detecting smoke in the air and warned others within the vicinity to keep windows closed due to potential health risks. The controlled demolition of the gas holder earlier in the day did not appear to be connected to the ongoing fire incident, as stated by the company. Following the demolition, residents reported feeling their homes shake when the gas holder was brought down.
Tata Steel’s history dates back to 1912 when it commenced steel production in Jamshedpur, India, before expanding globally through the acquisition of Corus in 2007. Corus, formed in 1999 through the merger of British Steel plc and Koninklijke Hoogovens, was a significant milestone in Tata Steel’s growth.
Residents in the Port Talbot area were informed of the planned demolition, which Tata Steel assured was carried out safely, to make way for future development on the site. The company apologized for any inconvenience caused by the demolition process.
A resident living on Beechwood Road in Port Talbot shared their experience of the evening, highlighting the sudden blast and subsequent smoke emissions from the site. They expressed surprise at not being informed in advance about the controlled explosion, emphasizing the impact on visibility due to the smog outside.
South Wales Police reiterated the need for caution, advising residents to keep windows and doors closed and to seek alternative routes to avoid the affected area.