TATA STEEL has confirmed that a major fire broke out at its Port Talbot steelworks on Wednesday night, with emergency crews remaining at the scene into Thursday morning.

The company said Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the site at around 8:00pm after a fire broke out at one of the site’s processing lines.

All personnel were accounted for and evacuated safely, Tata Steel said.

The blaze sent thick black smoke across parts of Port Talbot, with residents reporting alarms, sirens and a strong smell of smoke across the area.

Some people said they could smell and taste the smoke as far away as Maesteg.

South Wales Police urged residents living nearby to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Images and video shared online showed flames and a large plume of black smoke rising from the steelworks, with emergency crews working through the night.

Tata Steel said at 8:00am on Thursday (Jun 4) that emergency services remained on site and were working with local teams to fully extinguish the fire.

The company said: “Mid and West Wales Fire Service attended the Port Talbot site last night at around 8pm to deal with a fire at one of the site’s processing lines.

“All personnel were accounted for and evacuated from the area safely.

“At this time, the emergency services remain on site and are working with local teams to completely extinguish the fire.

“The incident is not related to the safe and successful demolition of the empty, redundant Gas Holder earlier yesterday evening.

“We would like to thank local site teams and the emergency services for their prompt and professional action.

“Further updates will be shared as information becomes available.”

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Tata Steel had carried out the planned demolition of the empty redundant Coke Ovens Gas Holder at the Port Talbot site.

The company said the gas holder had ceased operation following the closure of the site’s heavy-end in September 2024.

That demolition was required to make space for future raw materials handling areas for the new electric arc furnace, which forms part of Tata Steel’s major redevelopment of the Port Talbot works.

Tata Steel has stressed that Wednesday night’s fire was a separate incident and was not connected to the controlled demolition.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

A FORMER lifeboat coxswain who was told he was too old to continue going to sea has found a new sense of purpose with Blood Bikes Wales.

Clive had spent decades serving his community, including almost 20 years as a First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service and 38 years with the lifeboat. He eventually became coxswain, but at the age of 65 was told he could no longer continue in the role.

Despite being fit and healthy, holding a Class 1 driving licence and a Private Pilot’s Licence, stepping away from something that had been such a major part of his life proved difficult. He said the loss of involvement, purpose and identity hit hard.

Determined to find a new volunteering challenge, Clive contacted Blood Bikes Wales. As an advanced driver, he hoped to take on a car-based role, but discovered the charity operated motorcycles. At that point, he did not even have a motorcycle licence.

Rather than give up, Clive decided to learn to ride, pass his motorcycle test and work towards the advanced qualification needed to apply as a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “The challenge and freedom that motorcycling gave me was a real tonic.”

With determination and support from mentors, Clive achieved his RoSPA Gold qualification and passed the assessments to become a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

Now, just over 18 months into his Blood Bikes Wales journey and approaching his 70th birthday, he says the charity has given him back something he feared he had lost.

He said: “I am truly grateful that I committed to the challenge and extremely thankful to Blood Bikes Wales for giving me back the direction, involvement and identity I had lost a few years earlier.

“Blood Bikes Wales is a truly inspirational and inclusive charity, made even more remarkable by the fact that every member is a volunteer. I feel proud to wear my rider’s jacket and represent the charity.”

Police in Milford Haven and Neyland assisting Warwickshire officers in appeal to trace 23-year-old

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland police have issued an appeal to help locate a man wanted in connection with a rape investigation.

Officers are assisting colleagues from Warwickshire Police, who are seeking information on the whereabouts of 23-year-old Rhys Trott in connection with a rape allegation in Nuneaton.

Police say Trott is believed to have links to the Milford Haven area of Pembrokeshire.

In a public appeal, Warwickshire Police said they are keen to trace Trott as part of ongoing enquiries.

Anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Warwickshire Police through their website or by quoting the relevant incident details.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police shared the appeal on social media on Tuesday (June 3), asking local residents to come forward with any information that may assist officers.

Photo caption:

Rhys Trott, 23, is wanted by Warwickshire Police in connection with a rape investigation and is believed to have links to Milford Haven (Pic: Warwickshire Police).