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Port Talbot explosion: Two hurt at Tata steelworks | Port Talbot explosion: Two hurt at Tata steelworks |
(32 minutes later) | |
Two people have been hurt in an explosion at Tata's main Welsh steelworks plant in the early hours. | 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. | 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 now out and all employees had been accounted for. | Tata Steel said the explosion came from a train used to carry molten metal, but the fires at the plant were now out and all employees had been accounted for. |
The firm posted on Twitter: "We can confirm two of our employees were slightly injured when there was a spillage of liquid iron while it was travelling to the steel plant. | The firm posted on Twitter: "We can confirm two of our employees were slightly injured when there was a spillage of liquid iron while it was travelling to the steel plant. |
"All fires have now been extinguished. A full investigation has begun." | "All fires have now been extinguished. A full investigation has begun." |
The steel firm said the site had reopened by 07:00 and it was assessing any damage. | |
Helicopters were circling overhead and South Wales Police said it received "numerous calls" shortly after 03:30 "reporting an explosion". | Helicopters were circling overhead and South Wales Police said it received "numerous calls" shortly after 03:30 "reporting an explosion". |
Lance Davies, who lives at the highest point in the town, said it was a "miracle" no-one was killed. | Lance Davies, who lives at the highest point in the town, said it was a "miracle" no-one was killed. |
"I was woken up this morning by what sounded like thunder, I went to the window and could see the results of the first explosion, then I called my partner and saw the other two," he added. | |
"That was all you could see - it was like a scene from Independence Day - a big ball of flame, followed by a massive mushroom of smoke. It was unbelievable." | |
Sharon Freeguard, a Neath Port Talbot councillor, said: "I thought I heard about two to three explosions. It was extremely frightening and very, very scary. | Sharon Freeguard, a Neath Port Talbot councillor, said: "I thought I heard about two to three explosions. It was extremely frightening and very, very scary. |
"The house just shook, so it was quite alarming. Once it was over, I did wonder what it was and just did think about the works. | "The house just shook, so it was quite alarming. Once it was over, I did wonder what it was and just did think about the works. |
"We're just all relieved that there are no fatalities." | "We're just all relieved that there are no fatalities." |
'The house shook' | 'The house shook' |
Local resident Craig Williams told the BBC he heard "an almighty bang". | 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 to." | |
Mr Williams said Port Talbot "revolves around this plant" and it helps to "bring the community together". | Mr Williams said Port Talbot "revolves around this plant" and it helps to "bring the community together". |
The steelworks is the largest in the UK and employs more than 4,000 people. | The steelworks is the largest in the UK and employs more than 4,000 people. |
South Wales Police said: "The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site." | South Wales Police said: "The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site." |
The force added that there was no need for concern about hazardous effects from the smoke. | The force added that there was no need for concern about hazardous effects from the smoke. |
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters remained at the scene, but it was starting to reduce the number of crews on site. | Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters remained at the scene, but it was starting to reduce the number of crews on site. |
The explosion was heard as far away as Bridgend, 14 miles (22km) from the blast, and the National Police Air Service's St Athan wing confirmed a helicopter had been scrambled to the scene. | The explosion was heard as far away as Bridgend, 14 miles (22km) from the blast, and the National Police Air Service's St Athan wing confirmed a helicopter had been scrambled to the scene. |
Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock said the incident "raises real concerns about safety at the works". | Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock said the incident "raises real concerns about safety at the works". |
"It could have been a lot worse. Grateful as always to the emergency services for their rapid and effective response," he wrote on Twitter. | "It could have been a lot worse. Grateful as always to the emergency services for their rapid and effective response," he wrote on Twitter. |
"Tata Steel Europe must conduct a full review, to improve safety." | "Tata Steel Europe must conduct a full review, to improve safety." |
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. |
At the scene - BBC reporter Will Fyfe | |
"I'm stood just very close to one of the main entrances to the plant and actually everything so far seems to be business as normal this morning. | |
"There's the normal traffic - shift workers coming in and out. | |
"The activity this morning really is in stark contrast some of the very dramatic photographs and footage - and some of those eyewitness accounts that talk about an explosion that was so loud it had blown bedroom doors open of some of the houses of people living nearby." | |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosion? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosion? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |