Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at a UK power station, with local residents issued urgent advice. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) are in attendance at the “large” fire at Aberthaw Power Station, near Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Video footage from the scene shows plumes of black smoke billowing above what was Wales’ last coal-fired power station. Locals living in the areas have been urged to keep their doors and windows closed. Crews from across Wales have been tackling the blaze. SWFRS say personnel from stations including Ely, Llantwit Major, Kenfig Hill, Barry, Penarth, Whitchurch, Cardiff Central, Pontypridd, Maindee, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfill, New Inn, Cwmbran, Tonypandy and Bridgend remain at the scene.
A statement from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reads: “We are currently attending a large fire at Aberthaw Power Station, Barry. Residents in the local area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to large amounts of smoke. Thank you for your calls.”
SWFRS manager, Tony Redman said: “Crews continue to tackle the fire at Aberthaw Power Station, Barry. We are advising residents to keep their windows and doors closed.
“Although the current wind direction is carrying the majority of smoke out to sea, smoke may affect those in areas including Rhoose and Font-Y-Gary.
“We thank the public for their cooperation.”
CCR Energy, the company leading the project to redevelop the site to produce alternative energy, said all personnel have been reported safe.
Andrew RT Davies, Member of the Senedd for the area, said: “Deeply concerned by the fire at the Aberthaw Power Station site. Authorities have advised all residents in the area to keep windows and doors closed.
“I’d like to thank the brave firefighters in attendance at the scene who are working hard to make the area safe. If any constituent requires further information, please do get in touch.”
Aberthaw Power Station, which generated electricity from coal, was closed in 2020 after concerns from the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide it produced.
Environmental groups argued that it was one of Wales’ largest sources of greenhouse-gas emissions.
Coal generation formally ended in 2019, and the station officially closed on 31 March 2020, ending nearly 60 years of power generation on the site.