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Pembroke refinery explosion: Casualties feared | Pembroke refinery explosion: Casualties feared |
(40 minutes later) | |
Emergency services are investigating an explosion and fire at an oil refinery in west Wales. | Emergency services are investigating an explosion and fire at an oil refinery in west Wales. |
It is believed there are casualties after the blast at the Chevron plant in Pembroke at around 1820 BST. | |
Milford Haven coastguards reported a "blast large enough to shake the windows" with "black smoke in the air". | Milford Haven coastguards reported a "blast large enough to shake the windows" with "black smoke in the air". |
Chevron said: "We are taking appropriate action to respond to the situation. We are still in the process of accounting for all personnel." | |
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent 10 engines to the scene and brought the incident under control within an hour and a half. | The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent 10 engines to the scene and brought the incident under control within an hour and a half. |
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "massive bang" and saw plumes of black smoke following the blast. | Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "massive bang" and saw plumes of black smoke following the blast. |
Phil Horne was in his back garden in Milford Haven, on the opposite side of the waterway, at the time of the incident. | Phil Horne was in his back garden in Milford Haven, on the opposite side of the waterway, at the time of the incident. |
"I heard a large explosion, turned around and saw a large fireball disappearing into the sky," he said. | "I heard a large explosion, turned around and saw a large fireball disappearing into the sky," he said. |
"It went about halfway up the chimney stack of the refinery." | "It went about halfway up the chimney stack of the refinery." |
Liz Herbert, who also lives on the other side of the haven, said: "I heard a massive bang and saw a huge plume of thick black smoke. | Liz Herbert, who also lives on the other side of the haven, said: "I heard a massive bang and saw a huge plume of thick black smoke. |
"It was really frightening." | "It was really frightening." |
In a statement Chevron said: "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." | |
Milford Haven Port Authority said it was aware of the incident but it was not affecting any ship movements on the waterway. | |
It said it had two pilot boats on standby if needed but their assistance had not been requested. | |
The refinery was formerly known as Texaco, later rebranded Chevron-Texaco and known as Chevron since around 2005. | |
In March, Chevron confirmed Texan oil company Valero Energy had agreed to buy the refinery for $730m (£446m) and pay a further $1bn (£611m) for the stocks of oil, petrol and other products on site. | |
The site, which can refine 220,000 barrels of crude oil a day into petrol and other products, has yet to change hands. | |
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