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Port Talbot Tata steelworks: Two hurt in explosion | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Two people have been hurt in an explosion at Tata's main Welsh steelworks plant in the early hours. | |
Residents living near the Port Talbot plant spoke of hearing a "massive" blast shortly after 03:30 BST. | Residents living near the Port Talbot plant spoke of hearing a "massive" blast shortly after 03:30 BST. |
Images posted on social media show flames at the site and plumes of smoke. | |
Tata Steel said the explosion came from a train used to carry molten metal, but the fires at the plant were "under control" and all employees had been accounted for. | |
Helicopters were reported to be circling overhead and South Wales Police said it received "numerous calls" shortly after 03:30 "reporting an explosion". | |
"At this time we believe there are just two casualties with minor injuries. We are asking people to avoid the area at this time," the force added. | |
'The house shook' | |
Local resident Craig Williams told the BBC he heard "an almighty bang". | |
"It's very unusual to hear something of that magnitude," he said. | "It's very unusual to hear something of that magnitude," he said. |
"It was just a huge bang. The house shook a little. It's not something we are accustomed too" | "It was just a huge bang. The house shook a little. It's not something we are accustomed too" |
Mr Williams said that Port Talbot "revolves around this plant" and that it helps to "bring the community together". | Mr Williams said that Port Talbot "revolves around this plant" and that it helps to "bring the community together". |
The steelworks is the largest in the UK and employs more than 4,000 people. | |
"The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site," a spokesman said. | |
"South West Fire and Rescue Service have informed us there is no need for concerns re hazardous effects from the smoke from the fire." | |
The National Police Air Service's St Athan wing confirmed a helicopter had been scrambled to the scene. | |
A Tata Steel spokesman said the company was working with emergency services. | A Tata Steel spokesman said the company was working with emergency services. |
He said: "We can confirm there has been an incident at our Port Talbot site. Emergency services have attended and are working with our on-site services. | |
"We will provide an update as soon as we know more." | "We will provide an update as soon as we know more." |
Tata had recently invested £50m in the plant to refit a blast furnace. It has pledged to invest £1bn over 10 years if market conditions allow. | Tata had recently invested £50m in the plant to refit a blast furnace. It has pledged to invest £1bn over 10 years if market conditions allow. |