FIRE FIGHTERS have now extinguished the fire, involving a freight train, near Pontarddulais Road, Llangennech, Carmarthenshire. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service handed over the scene to British Transport Police and Network Rail at 08:30am on Friday 28th August 2020.

Superintendent Andy Morgan of British Transport Police said: “Overnight, officers from British Transport Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, ambulance service and Carmarthenshire County Council dealt with a major incident on the railway line near Llangennech.

“We have launched an investigation and will be assisting the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish the exact circumstances behind the incident.

Network rail staff assess the damage (Image Herald/D Harries)

“What we know is a freight train, carrying large amounts of diesel oil, caught fire and a number of its carriages also derailed. Thankfully, despite the clear danger, no injuries have been reported. The two members of railway staff operating the train were able raise the alarm and uncouple the locomotive and move it to a safe space.

“The fire was significant due to the quantity of fuel it was carrying and presented a possible danger to the wider community.

“As a precaution, roads were shut, and Dyfed-Powys Police evacuated a large number of homes within a radius of the fire.

“I believe around 300 people were affected and I’d like to thank everyone for their understanding and quick action in what must have been a frightening time.

“At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown and, while the fire continues, there is still a substantial risk within its immediate vicinity, so our advice remains for people to avoid the area.

The fire was extinguished by 8.30am on Friday morning (Aug 28) (Pic D Harries/Herald)

“Our officers are conducting initial enquiries and are in the process of collecting key witness statements and CCTV. Once the fire is extinguished, and the scene is safe to assess and investigate, they’ll be assisting the ORR and RAIB further at the scene.

“This was and remains a very challenging incident. I’d like to thank all of our partners for their ongoing support and work to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.”

DB Cargo UK, the owner of the train, say it continues to support the ongoing, multi-agency response to the freight train derailment and fire which occurred on Wednesday night at Llangennech in South Wales.

A spokesman said: “We have been informed by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service that the fire has now been extinguished and control of the scene handed over to the British Transport Police and Network Rail.”

“The environmental clean-up operation is now also underway.”

“The uninjured driver and engineer who were onboard the train at the time of the incident are both doing well and continue to be supported by the company.”

As is normal procedure in these circumstances, the driver and engineer have already been interviewed by the British Transport Police and will continue to cooperate fully with all the various agencies involved in investigating this unfortunate incident.

The accident investigation is being led by the RAIB.

Farmers, landowners and cockle pickers near to the derailment were warned by Natural Resources Wales that “they will not be able to carry on as normal tomorrow”, as the extent of the spillage was assessed.

The Loughor River, near to the site of the derailment, marks the border between Carmarthenshire and Swansea and reports of diesel oil floating on the surface of the river began to come in on Thursday afternoon and throughout the evening.

The Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery encompasses the Loughor Estuary and three other Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Fisherman Neil Esmonde spotted diesel in the Loughor Estuary (Image: Facebook/N Esmonde)