Port Talbot fire and everything we know so far

Need to know

The fire involves 200 tonnes of commercial waste

Huge fire breaks out in Port Talbot

• Fire broke out at an industrial estate in Port Talbot Firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service received multiple reports of an incident at Dock Road from 3.30pm on Wednesday, April 29. Local residents were asked to keep their windows and doors closed and visitors were advised to avoid the area.
• Thick smoke filled the sky The incident could be seen as far away as Mumbles due to the huge size of the plumes. The sky turned black in parts of Port Talbot as smoke billowed high above the town.
• Traffic disruption As of 10.30pm on Wednesday the A4241 Dock Road remains closed from the Industrial Park turn off to North Bank Road. Earlier on Wednesday afternoon the M4 was also affected, with slow traffic reported on the M4 in both directions from J41 A48 Pentyla-Baglan Road (Baglan / Pentyla) to J40 A4107 Tanygroes Street, due to smoke blowing across the road. Drivers were urged to take care.
• What the fire service has said In an official update, the service confirmed the type of fire crews are dealing with. It reads: “At 3.36pm on Wednesday, April 29, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Port Talbot, Neath, Morriston, Ammanford, Tumble, Carmarthen, Pontarddulais and Glynneath Fire Stations were called to an incident at Dock Road in Port Talbot. This incident is currently ongoing. With support by crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, crews are dealing with a fire involving approximately 200 tonnes of commercial waste. The area should be avoided while the incident is ongoing to allow access for emergency services and local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed if there is thick smoke in the area. Please only call 999 if lives or property are in immediate danger to allow our Control Room Operators to manage resources effectively.”
• Volunteers support crews According to the Rapid Relief Team UK, volunteers are supporting firefighters at the scene. A post shared on X reads: “A major fire is currently ongoing at a recycling centre in Swansea, with around 150,000 tonnes of material alight. Emergency services are continuing to work in challenging conditions, with around 70 firefighters and responders on site, maintaining a sustained response to the incident. RRT Swansea are on scene now, having deployed just over an hour after call‑out. Our volunteers are providing welfare support for those crews as they continue their vital work.”
• As of 10.30pm on Wednesday, April 29 the incident is ongoing and you can follow our live coverage here.

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