Tata Steel fire LIVE: Huge Port Talbot blaze as black smoke fills sky - 'Avoid the area'
Residents living near the steelworks site reported hearing alarms sounding before seeing thick smoke.
A huge fire has erupted at the Tata Steel site in Port Talbot, with emergency services rushing to the scene. Large plumes of thick black smoke have been seen rising from the plant near people's homes.
Residents living near the site reported hearing alarms sounding before they saw smoke rising high into the sky. Multiple fire crews then rushed to the plant. Some locals have told WalesOnline they have been able to taste the smoke in the air. A spokesperson for the force said: "Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident at Tata Steel, Port Talbot. Large plumes of smoke are visible in the area. Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Thank you for your patience."
FOLLOW BELOW FOR THE LATEST UPDATES:
KEY EVENTS
- No injuries reported, says Tata Steel in fresh update09:14
- Fire not linked to demolition of an old gas holder09:06
- Tata Steel release statement 08:54
- Port Talbot locals hear loud noise as Tata Steel demolishes former gas holder08:49
- 100 responders face hazardous overnight emergency operation08:38
- Police urge residents to 'keep windows and doors closed'08:20
- Plumes of thick smock fill the sky08:14
No injuries reported, says Tata Steel in fresh update
In a fresh update Tata Steel says no injuries have been reported with all workers having been evacuated from the area safely.
Mid and West Wales Fire Service remain at the scene and are working to extinguish the fire.
The full statement read: "Mid and West Wales Fire Service attended the Port Talbot site last night at around 8pm to deal with a fire at one of the site’s processing lines.
"All personnel were accounted for and evacuated from the area safely.
"At this time, the emergency services remain on site and are working with local teams to completely extinguish the fire.The incident is not related to the safe and successful demolition of the empty, redundant Gas Holder earlier yesterday evening.
"We would like to thank local site teams and the emergency services for their prompt and professional action.
"Further updates will be shared as information becomes available."
Fire not linked to demolition of an old gas holder
Tata Steel has said the fire was not linked to the controlled demolition of an old gas holder on Wednesday evening.
Tata Steel release statement
A spokesperson for Tata Steel said: "People working and living in the Port Talbot area may have just heard a loud noise emanating from the Port Talbot steelworks.
"This was the result of the planned demolition of the empty, redundant Coke Ovens Gas Holder, which has been completed safely as part of the ongoing engineering works on the site. The gas holder ceased operation with the closure of the site’s heavy-end in September 2024.
"This demolition was required to make space for future raw materials handling areas for the new 3 million tonne per year capacity Electric Arc Furnace.
"Our thanks goes to the whole team involved from Tata Steel and our contractor partners Thompson of Prudhoe and PDC, in what was a complex programme of work.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Port Talbot locals hear loud noise as Tata Steel demolishes former gas holder
Tata Steel says Port Talbot locals may have heard loud noises last night whilst they completed the planned demolition of the redundant Coke Ovens Gas Holder.
100 responders face hazardous overnight emergency operation
Rapid Relief has shared gruelling photos showing more than 100 responders working throughout the night in "demanding and hazardous" conditions.
The charity who helps communities impacted by natural or humanitarian disasters said they served 125 hot meals to crews who worked throughout the night.
8 fire appliances, 2 foam units, 2 high-reach turntable platforms are said to have been at the sceene.
In a statement on X, the charity thanked "every responder who showed up for such a challenging incident".
Emergency crews have been working through the night at a major incident at Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, involving a significant fire. With 8 fire appliances, 2 foam units, 2 high-reach turntable platforms and an HVP on scene, around 100 responders faced an incredibly demanding\u2026 pic.twitter.com/yFapKLjQMZ
— Rapid Relief Team UK (@RRT_UK) June 4, 2026
Police urge residents to 'keep windows and doors closed'
The police are urging residents to "keep windows and doors closed".
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident at Tata Steel, Port Talbot.
"Large plumes of smoke are visible in the area. Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed.
"Please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Thank you for your patience."
Plumes of thick smock fill the sky
Dramatic footage from the scene shows plumes of thick black smoke filling the sky.
The below image shows what the scene looked at around 10pm last night.
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A huge fire has erupted at the Tata Steel site in Port Talbot, with emergency services rushing to the scene.
We will provide you with live updates as we receive them.
