News
100 firemen at recycling centre blaze which will take ‘days to extinguish’

OFFICIALS from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have said that a fire at TBS Recycling in Waterston could take ‘days to extinguish’.
The 999 call came at 2pm on Sunday (Aug 14).
100 firemen and 14 appliances were sent to the blaze, which put a high strain on resources, the Herald has been told.
The industrial estate fire coincided with grass and crop fires in the St Davids and Newgale areas of the county, caused by the dry weather and soaring temperatures.
Rescuers have confirmed that a large storage unit has been destroyed by the fire, which spread to an adjacent waste recycling centre.
“Crews are working to extinguish the fire at both locations and mitigate further spread”, a spokesperson for the fire brigade said.

Significant smoke is billowing from the scene of the fire, and residents in the Johnston, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, and Neyland areas as well as the other side of the estuary are advised to keep windows and doors closed, and remain indoors until further notice.
A Public Health Wales spokesperson said: “Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.
“Smoke can irritate air passages, skin and eyes, resulting in coughing and wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain, so individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, such as asthma, should carry any necessary medication or inhalers with them at all times and seek medical advice if their symptoms worsen by contacting their GP or NHS 111.
“We are currently at heat health alert level 3 and it is important that you protect yourself from smoke, whilst also keeping cool. Further information on how to stay safe during periods of warm weather can be found on Public Health Wales website: https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/environmental-public-health/extreme-hot-weather/
“When sheltering indoors, open windows that are on the opposite side to the plume/smoke when it is safe to do so and when the air feels cooler outside than inside to get air flowing through the home, for example, at night. Once the smoke has moved away, consider opening doors and windows to allow properties to cool down, being mindful of changing conditions and that the smoke could return.”
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have approximately 100 staff on scene, with 14 appliances, specialist assets including a drone to provide situational awareness and tactical officers tackling the blaze. Senior officers on scene are liaising with Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council and local contractors to establish a plan to extinguish the fire in the next few days.
No one has been injured, and no adverse effects have been reported in the area at this time. There are no particular concerns for any nearby dwellings and therefore no evacuations are being considered at this time.
The B4325 road is closed, so the public are asked to avoid the area and take an alternative route.
Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas, who attended the scene said: “Crews have worked extremely hard tackling the fire in hot and challenging conditions, to mitigate against the effects to the environment and from a public health perspective. Crews are also attending a large grass fire in Newgale, meaning approximately 20 appliances have been in attendance in the area tackling fires. This has placed a great deal of strain on our local resources.”
We thank the public in the area for their cooperation and understanding whilst every effort is made to bring this to a safe conclusion as soon as possible.
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
-
Crime1 day ago
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby
-
Crime6 days ago
Hakin drug dealer caught twice in two counties
-
Crime2 days ago
Broad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage
-
Crime3 days ago
Milford man denies GBH assault on ex-partner’s 70-year-old grandfather
-
Education2 days ago
Teaching assistant forced to act after child left in locked toilet cubicle for hours
-
News7 hours ago
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle
-
News3 days ago
Motorcyclist airlifted with serious injuries after A40 roundabout crash
-
Community5 days ago
Police operation in St Florence after girl goes missing