4 killed in Wales refinery explosion
4 people have been killed and another hospitalized in a huge explosion at an oil refinery in wales.
The explosion happened at the Pembroke Dock Chevron refinery at around 6.22pm on Thursday 2nd June.
10 appliances from Mid and West Wales fire service attended the incident which was caused by a storage tanker that was undergoing maintenance exploding.
Local resident, Liz Herbert said: “I was in the house and I could feel a shaking kind of thing – and I am on the other side of the water, so it is quite a way. I looked out of the window and could see black smoke, I went upstairs to get a better view and I could see flames. The black smoke was unbelievable. We could hear all the sirens going. People were out and about having a look. It is gone now, but at the time, all along the front was jam-packed with cars and people having a look at what’s going on.”
Another local who owns the Angle village shop said: “I ran to the front and saw a huge plume of smoke. It was black and filled the sky. It must have been 50 or so metres wide. There were lots of people outside staring at the sky. We thought it had something to do with a jet at first and some people thought it might have been guns at Castle Martin – they have been firing a the range a lot recently.”
Dyfed Powys police force is investigating the incident alongside the Health and Safety Executive. Chief Superintendent Gwyn Thomas said that “Early indications show that it is a tragic industrial accident.”
Kent fire crews battle huge blaze
A fire which broke out in a building in Wildernesse Avenue in Kent could have been started deliberately.
The fire broke out last Wednesday and was attended by fire crews from Swanley, Thameside, Maidstone, Larkfield, Sevenoaks, Seal and Tonbridge.
Witness, Sue Marks said: “A woman who lives in this street smelled the smoke. The firefighters were in here for a long time. Our shop absolutely stinks of smoke and there’s ash all over the plants.”
Steve Whitehead, who runs a shop in the High Street, said: “We smelled something burning and were wondering what it was – my office manager Gemma Knight said it smelled like a barbecue. Then we noticed the smoke out the window and she realised what was going on, so she called the police – it was about 1.20pm.There was still smoke billowing out everywhere – I can’t believe how bad it was. It’s just lucky nobody got hurt, but it makes you wonder.”
A spokesperson for West Kent Police said: “The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are being investigated.”
Guests evacuated as fire hits Devon hotel
More than 50 people were evacuated from a hotel in Devon after a fire broke out on the 3rd floor in the early hours of Monday morning.
60 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Tanton Hotel for several hours.
Witnesses Sharon Knox and 12-year-old son Connor Wells saw that there were people trapped on the roof of the building. Ms Knox said: “At first we thought it was ducks on the river but then we heard people shouting ‘help, help’, so we dialled 999. I asked for the coastguard because I thought someone had fallen in the river but then Sam got the binoculars out and said ‘mum, the hotel’s on fire’. The smoke was bellowing over and we could see the flames on the roof.”
The hotel has suffered extensive damage to the 3rd floor and the 2nd floor and roof area have been partially damaged by smoke.
Graham Rooke from Bideford fire station said: “At the height of the fire there were 60 firefighters on scene and I would like to commend the crews for their initial actions working in very arduous conditions. This was a multi-agency approach and I would also like to thank police, ambulance crews and hotel management for their assistance in affecting the rescue of all 55 persons.”
Some residents at the hotel lost their belongings and were provided with replacement items from the Rotary shop in Boutport Street, Barnstaple.
A 58-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of arson.
Major fire in Thornton Heath flats
A huge fire broke out in a block of flats in Thornton Heath on Monday afternoon.
60 firefighters attended the blaze along with 12 fire engines after the fire tore through the rooftop storage area of flats in Jubilee Court, London Road.
Nearby roads were closed for several hours and traffic had to be diverted away from the incident causing major traffic disruption.
Dozens of people were unable to enter their homes during the fire and the British Red Cross set up a refuge centre as a temporary shelter until residents were able to re enter their homes.
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.