News

Car fire costs enthusiast dearly

Published

11 years ago

October 13, 2013

A LOCAL classic car enthusiast has contacted The Herald to warn about the dangers of leaving mobile phone charges plugged in unattended.
On Saturday, October 5, a fire broke out in the centre of Milford Haven at a garage belonging to Hugo Henricksen.
Fire crews from both Milford Haven and Haverfordwest dealt with fire at a 5 Fulke Street.
The fire started around 12.20pm. Three fire appliances, an ambulance and police were at the scene. No injuries are reported, and the family who live on the first floor of the building were evacuated safely.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a series of loud bangs, and flames coming from the roof at the back of the property, and thick black smoke.
The fire was under control within half an hour, and fire fighters remained at the scene dampening down for some time later. At one point Charles Street was closed off.
Speaking to The Herald, Mr Henricksen said: “I had recently a new phone and the phone charger was now surplus to requirements. It had been left plugged in at the garage for three years. At the time of the fire it was the only thing switched on, and the fire brigade have confirmed that the fire caused by the charger suddenly overheating.”
Hugo Henricksen, who is a member of the Milford Haven classic car club, had been collecting classic car parts for over thirty years, and there were many irreplaceable items which were destroyed, as well as all the tools in the garage.
There were two cars in the garage at the time of the fire, one has been written off and the other, which was still under construction, was partially damaged.
The value of damage to the property, the written-off rare Hensen M30 kit car, as well as other items is estimated to be over £90,000.
Mr Henricksen said: “I didn’t realise before that there was a problem with phone chargers. But since the incident I have read on the internet that there have been many incidents similar to this across the country, including unfortunate ones where people have lost their lives.”
Mr Henricksen designed and built the Hensen kit cars in the 1980’s. There are only 17 in the world.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

22 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

22 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.