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Thu, 04 Jun 2026

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 'Apocalyptic' Tata Steel fire sees 'substantial' damage to production line

Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed as crews battle the fire in Port Talbot.
A major fire broke out at Tata Steel's Port Talbot site in south Wales on Wednesday night, prompting staff evacuation and emergency services response. The blaze started around 20:00 BST at one of the plant's processing lines, with large plumes of smoke visible across the surrounding area. Staff were safely evacuated, but nearby residents were advised to stay indoors with windows and doors closed due to smoke. The fire is believed to have caused substantial damage to a vital production line, according to Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. Emergency services remained at the scene on Thursday, working to manage the incident and contain the blaze. Tata Steel UK reported that the fire was restricted to a confined area and did not affect the site's Hot Rolling Mill, which was paused as a precaution. The company is unable to assess the cause of the fire or its impact on operations until further notice. Local residents described the scene as "apocalyptic" with thick smoke and black skies. The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) UK provided 125 hot meals overnight to support emergency crews. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called for measures to protect jobs at Tata Steel and down the supply chain during any period of disruption, while Tata Steel thanked site staff and emergency services for their prompt response.