Tata Steel fire: Massive blaze erupts at UK plant in Port Talbot, staff evacuated safely

A fire broke out at Tata Steel's UK plant in Port Talbot, south Wales, on Wednesday night, prompting a large-scale emergency response as authorities advised nearby residents to remain indoors.The fire erupted at around 8 pm local time at one of the steelworks' processing lines, sending thick black smoke billowing across the skyline and drawing nearly 100 emergency responders to the scene.Tata Steel UK confirmed that all employees were safely evacuated and accounted for, while firefighters continued efforts on Thursday to fully extinguish the fire.South Wales Police advised people living near the site to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution and avoid the area while emergency operations continued.Large plumes of smoke were visible across Port Talbot and neighbouring areas. Witnesses described dramatic scenes as the fire lit up the night sky."It was very apocalyptic. I couldn't even see the flames because the sky was so black," local resident Kellie Evans told the BBC, adding that several motorists stopped to watch the incident unfold.Rapid Relief Team UK (RRT), which provides emergency support during major incidents, said around 100 responders were involved in tackling the blaze through the night.The organisation said its volunteers reached the site within 90 minutes of being called and served 125 hot meals to firefighters and emergency personnel working in challenging conditions."We are grateful to every responder who attended this demanding and hazardous incident," the group said.Fire crews from multiple locations, including Neath, Swansea, Llanelli, Carmarthen and Milford Haven, were deployed to support the operation.In a statement, Tata Steel said the fire was not connected to the controlled demolition of a redundant gas holder carried out earlier on Wednesday evening."The emergency services remain on site and are working with local teams to completely extinguish the fire," the company said, thanking employees and emergency crews for their swift response.The Port Talbot facility is one of the UK's largest steelmaking sites and remains a crucial asset for Tata Steel's European operations.The plant has been undergoing a major transition after the closure of its two blast furnaces in 2024, a move that resulted in thousands of job losses and sparked concern across the region.Steel processing activities continue at the site, while construction of a new electric arc furnace, central to Tata Steel's low-carbon steelmaking strategy, is underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2027.The company said the latest fire occurred at a processing line and that investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.