Two killed after tankers collide at oil refinery
It is understood that two petrol tankers collided inside the Chevron plant in Pembroke Dock, killing both the drivers.
One of the tankers was completely destroyed in the explosion, according to the fire and rescue service.
A spokesman for 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 uncertain how many people have been hurt, he added.
A Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service spokeswoman said the fires had been extinguished. She added that the other tanker was damaged in the blast and was being examined.
“It was a major fire and we have 26 firefighters there and 16 specialist crew,” the spokeswoman said.
She added that there had so far been no oil spillage or environmental damage.
Staff at Milford Haven Coast Guard, which is based across a stretch of water from the refinery, heard an explosion and saw a plume of black smoke. A spokesman said: “There was a bang that was heard and there was smoke billowing.”
A spokesman for US-based Chevron said: “At 18:20 local time on June 2, 2011, an incident occurred at the Pembroke Refinery.
“Emergency services were called and responded immediately and remain on the scene. The fire has been extinguished. We are taking appropriate action to respond to the situation. We are still in the process of accounting for all personnel.”
The Pembroke Dock refinery specialises in processing heavy, lower quality crude oil. The refinery employs 1,400 people.
In March, Chevron agreed to sell the Pembroke refinery along with other marketing and logistics assets throughout the Britain and Ireland to Valero Energy for $1.73 billion (€1.19bn).
Marcus Lutwyche, owner of a shop in the village of Angle, told Walesonline: “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.’
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
