100ft flames engulf Tata Steel plant after lightning strike sparks explosion
Firefighters have successfully put out a blaze believed to have been caused by a lightning strike at the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot, Wales.
Mid and West Wales Fire Service said they were called to the scene at 08:00 GMT. Six crews and an aerial appliance remain on standby at the scene.
Images shared on social media show flames and plumes of smoke coming from the plant.
Lightning strike may have caused Port Talbot Tata steelworks fire https://t.co/KJRjtlkJ3npic.twitter.com/J7qVOJwA13
— South Wales EP (@SWEveningPost) February 11, 2016
Tata confirmed there were no casualties and it was looking to restore all manufacturing once operational and safety checks had been done.
Lightning strike causes large fire at the Tata Steel works in Port Talbot this morning https://t.co/Qawh7QJNIvpic.twitter.com/itqGnzzs38
— Cathy Owen (@cathymediawales) February 11, 2016
The company has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
A spokesperson for the fire service said the blaze was an “isolated incident.”
Live updates as emergency services called to large fire at Tata Steel in Port Talbot https://t.co/57xr08gv3Wpic.twitter.com/zjarojQprj
— WalesOnline (@WalesOnline) February 11, 2016
“We have got six appliances there from Port Talbot, Neath, Morriston and an aerial appliance from Swansea West.
“As it stands this is an isolated incident and the power supply has been re-established. The crews are on standby just in case anything should escalate.”
Tata announced 1,050 job cuts across the country last month, 750 affecting Port Talbot.
