News
Dry fire hydrants challenging fire fighters at recycling centre fire
FIRE crews from as far as way as Whitland, Kidwelly, and Tumble in Carmarthenshire tackling a large blaze at a recycling centre in Waterston, but a lack of water in on site fire hydrants is making their job harder.
A large plume of thick black smoke can be seen by them into the air from many miles away, and appears to have started at TBS Skip Hire & Recycling.
There are at least 15 firefighting appliances at the scene with more arriving all the time.
Aerial platform and water bowser have also been dispatched to the scene.
There are approximately 100 firefighters tackling the blaze, in extremely hot weather conditions.
Ambipar Response and staff from TBS are providing rescuers bottles of water as they tackle the incident.
The police are also in attendance providing traffic control from the main road from Black Bridge to Waterston which has now been shut to all traffic at Venn’s Yard.
Welsh Water are also at the scene, assisting firefighters to find a nearby water source. They are currently surveying the main road.
Fire hydrants in the industrial estate appear to be dry, with fire engines being diverted away from the fire to fill up their internal water tanks.
Farmers with a water tankers trailers towed by tractors have dropped what they are doing and turned up at the scene to help supply water to the fire brigade.
Fire officer Criag Thomas from the Mid And West Wales Fire And Rescue Service has thanked all the crews who helped to try tackle the blaze in Milford Haven as well as the local businesses.
“Tremendous work everyone!” he said.
TBS Skip Hire & Recycling, who describe themselves as a ‘close family business’ announced the sad passing of owner Phillip Thomas on August 10. Described by many as an awesome guy and true gentleman, hundreds took to social media to leave their thoughts, and to pay their respects.
MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS UPDATING STORY
Editor's Note: Phil Thomas was the Herald's biggest supporter and is the only person to have taken out a full page advertisement in every one of the 471 editions of The Pembrokeshire Herald over the last nine years. As a good friend to us all, it was extremely sad to see the fire at the yard. Of course we are obliged to report this incident, but we would also like to extend our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.
News
Council works to reduce empty properties in Carmarthenshire
CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is reducing the number of empty properties within the county through the introduction of the Empty Properties Framework.
Combining enforcement, the implementation of council tax premiums on empty properties and providing support to help owners bring empty properties back into use, the Empty Properties Framework aims to:
• Reduce the number of long-term empty homes across the county
• Increase the supply of affordable housing to meet demand
• Tackle issues relating to property nuisance, blight and the impact on communities
The following case study is an example of how Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting communities and owners to bring empty properties back into use.
An empty property was reported to the Council with loose rendering falling onto a neighbouring driveway and refuse/waste material in the garden. Investigations revealed that the property had been recorded as empty for seven years and was privately owned by a limited company.
The property was visited by the Council’s Empty Homes Officers and scored as high risk (Category A), requiring enforcement. The owners responded positively to the notice served and assisted with the Council’s formal inspection of the property, during which various category 1 (the most serious) hazards were identified.
As a result, statutory notices were served on the property. These notices provided varying timeframes for work to be carried out. In the event of non-compliance, the Council may choose to undertake works, recovering all costs from the owner.
The owner complied with the work which posed an imminent risk and then sold the property at public auction. The Improvement Notices remained with the property when sold. Upon purchase, the new owners immediately began work to improve the property and this is progressing well.
Cllr Linda Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes said: “The introduction of the Empty Homes Framework aims to be bold in bringing about the improvement and occupation of empty homes, increasing the supply and use of housing to all.
Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to reducing the number of empty properties in the county, with various methods of support in place to assist owners of these properties to bring them back into use including financial assistance, subject to eligibility.”
From 1st April 2024, council tax premiums were also introduced on properties empty for more than 12 months to encourage owners to reflect on whether they could make better use of their property.
For more information on the support available to owners of empty properties visit the Council’s website – Carmarthenshire.gov.wales/housing
News
Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre
PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.
The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.
It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.
On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.
The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29th between 10am-2pm.
Booking for the event and swim places is required.
For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.
News
Police attended Mount Estate following reports of man’s death
EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Friday (May 10) following reports that a man had sadly died.
Police remained at the property whilst investigations were carried out.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald on Thursday: “We received a report of a sudden death of a man, at a property in The Mount, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire shortly before 9am Friday.
“Officers attended, and sadly confirmed the man had died at the property.
“His next of kin have been informed.”
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