The 36-hour operation to bring massive Tata Steel fire under control

Dramatic new pictures have shown firefighters inside Tata steelworks dealing with the huge blaze which took 36 hours to bring under control. On Wednesday, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Port Talbot works in huge numbers. The fire was within an industrial building measuring approximately 1,200 metres by 200 metres, used as a cold mill and pickle line. At the height of the incident, 31 fire engines and over 100 firefighters were in attendance. This incident required a multi-agency response, with South Wales Police , the ambulance service, the Urban Search and Rescue Team, engineers, the hazardous area response team, Public Health Wales and Natural Resources Wales also in attendance. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here . Nobody was injured in the fire and workers were evacuated safely. Workers' trade union Unite say the fire caused substantial damage to a "vital" production line, whilst nearby residents thought they heard 'thunder', describing the explosion as 'horrendous' and 'unlike anything' they had ever heard. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, Craig Flannery, said: “Since Wednesday evening, we have responded to several significant and complex incidents, most notably the major fire at the Tata Steel site in Port Talbot and a further large-scale industrial fire at Neath Abbey Wharf. These incidents have required substantial resources, careful coordination, and prolonged operational commitment. "At Port Talbot, crews dealt with a highly challenging industrial fire involving extensive infrastructure and hazardous materials. The scale and technical nature of this incident, alongside the requirement to transition to defensive firefighting due to structural concerns, has demonstrated the very highest standards of operational professionalism, decision-making, and discipline." He added: "I would like to extend my thanks to our operational crews and joint control room operators for their professionalism and dedication. "I would also like to recognise the strength of our partnership working, particularly the support provided by colleagues from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the effective multi-agency coordination arrangements that have been established.” Overall, with crew rotations, crews from Port Talbot, Neath, Morriston, Glynneath, Swansea West, Cymmer, Swansea Central, Pontarddulais, Llanelli , Carmarthen , Ammanford, Gorseinon, Pontyates, Kidwelly, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Tumble Fire Stations all attended the incident. They also had support from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Avon Fire and Rescue Service. In total, four main jets, three ground monitors, four smooth bore branches, ten thermal imaging cameras, two gas monitors, six breathing apparatus sets, three turntable ladder appliances, three water bowser appliances, one high-volume pumping unit, one incident command unit and one drone were used to extinguish the fire and monitor the scene. The final fire crews left the scene at 9.34am on Friday. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.