Investigation begins after four people killed in explosion at oil refinery in Pembroke

Wales Online 03 June 2011


An investigation has begun into a massive explosion at a Welsh oil refinery last night that killed four people.

Witnesses reported hearing a blast from the Chevron refinery in Rhoscrowther, near Pembroke, on Thursday evening.

Paramedics have confirmed that four people lost their lives as a result of the incident.

Police officers are in the processes of informing the next of kin and will support the families throughout this difficult time.

Police officers have secured the scene and colleagues from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue are working to make the site safe to enable a multi agency investigation into the cause of the explosion to commence.

A police investigation is now underway, with the Health and Safety Executive, and early indications show that this was a tragic industrial incident.


Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene after the blast at 6.22pm and police and council officials put up roadblocks to prevent drivers from getting within two miles of the plant.
Members of the public were reassured that there was no risk to their health from any material released into the atmosphere.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies said: “Crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue assisted the onsite Chevron fire personnel throughout the operation. The fire itself was extinguished quickly and the crews worked to make the scene safe for Police to start their investigation.

“We can confirm that any material released into the atmosphere as a result of the blast were immediately dispersed. The wind was blowing off shore, away from residential areas. Members of the public can be reassured that there is no ongoing risk to health as a result of the incident.”

Five fire appliances were mobilised immediately, two from Pembroke Dock; two from Milford Haven and one from Tenby.

Specialist fire appliances were also mobilised including two foam vehicles, a chemical incident unit, a high volume pump from Pembroke Dock, environment unit from Pembroke Dock and a control unit from Carmarthen.

Witnesses reported hearing a blast from several miles away and seeing a plume of black smoke rising above the plant.

Officials said reports that two tankers had collided at the plant to spark the explosion were false.

Villagers in nearby Angle and beyond said they were shocked by a bang and the sweeping expanse of thick, black smoke.

Marcus Lutwyche, owner of the Angle village shop said he had heard a massive bang and at first thought his shop was being broken into. He said: “I went running to the back there. “Then 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. “There were lots of people outside staring at the sky. We thought it had something to do with a jet at first and some people thought it might have been guns at Castle Martin – they have been firing at the range a lot recently.”

His wife, Joanne Lutwyche, said: “It is incredible – we are concerned that a couple of people have been killed. “Quite a few people in the village work at Chevron and would have been changing shifts when the explosion happened, so everyone’s really concerned for who might be involved.

Jeff Adams, a member of the Angle Boat Society, was about to take his boat out with his wife and two grandchildren when the family heard a huge explosion. “We are quite used to hearing loud bangs round these parts but this was something extraordinary. “There was a tremendous thud and when we looked up the sky was filled with a huge black cloud. “It was terrifying and we knew immediately that something was wrong.
“Later, we saw a helicopter going into the Chevron plant and then wondered if that was an air ambulance.”

Pearl Llewellyn, county councillor for Pembroke Monkton, said she was in a meeting with other councillors when they heard emergency service vehicles heading towards the scene. “We guessed something big had happened and it wasn’t until we got home that we have seen it on the news.” Ms Llewellyn, who is also a member of the Texaco Liaison Committee, said: “We had a meeting a week ago where they were giving us reports on safety and how there were no accidents in several years and this is just absolutely awful for the area. “The last time we had an explosion was on a Sunday afternoon and everybody was watching but the whole area of Pembroke and the surrounding area will be absolutely gutted about this now.”

Liz Herbert, who lives on the other side of Milford Haven, said: “I was in the house and I could feel a shaking kind of thing – and I am on the other side of the water, so it is quite a way. I looked out of the window and could see black smoke, I went upstairs to get a better view and I could see flames. “The black smoke was unbelievable considering I’m so far away from it, and that was it we could hear all the sirens going.”

A spokeswoman for Morriston Hospital said: “Following notification of the incident at Milford Haven Refinery, Morriston Hospital launched its Major Incident Plan in preparation for receiving casualties. “One casualty, a male, has been received and admitted to the hospital.

“No information on his condition is currently available.

“At 8.20pm the Morriston Hospital Major Incident Plan was ‘stood down’ and at this time 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.”