Firefighters extinguish blaze after explosion at the Chevron plant in Pembroke Dock, south-west Wales
Four people were killed in a major explosion at an oil refinery in south-west Wales yesterday. It is understood that two petrol tankers collided inside the Chevron plant in Pembroke Dock, Dyfed, killing both the drivers.
One of the tankers was completely destroyed in the explosion, according to Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service.
The Welsh ambulance service confirmed that paramedics had dealt with casualties at the scene and the air ambulance was deployed. Because of the heat of the flames, it was not clear last night how many people had been hurt.
Morriston Hospital in Swansea said one man had been admitted but no information was available about his condition. "No further casualties are expected at Morriston. Anyone with minor injuries from the incident are expected to be treated at hospitals closer to the scene."
The fire and rescue service said the fires had been extinguished. The other tanker was damaged in the blast and was being examined by fire crews. "It was a major fire and we have 26 firefighters there and 16 specialist crew," the fire service said, adding that there had so far been no oil spillage or environmental damage.
Staff at Milford Haven coastguard, based across a stretch of water from the refinery, said they heard an explosion and saw a plume of black smoke.
Chevron said: "We are taking appropriate action to respond to the situation. We are still in the process of accounting for all personnel."
The refinery processes heavy crude oil.