Large fire at Waterston Industrial Estate 14/8/22

At approximately 2pm this afternoon (Sunday August 14) Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene of a large waste site fire at a unit in Waterston Industrial Estate. 

A large storage unit has been destroyed by the fire, which spread to an adjacent waste recycling centre. Crews are working to extinguish the fire at both locations and mitigate further spread.

Significant smoke is billowing from the scene of the fire, and residents in the Johnston, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, and Neyland areas as well as the other side of the estuary are advised to keep windows and doors closed, and remain indoors until further notice.

A Public Health Wales spokesperson said: “Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep their air vents closed.

“Smoke can irritate air passages, skin and eyes, resulting in coughing and wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain, so individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, such as asthma, should carry any necessary medication or inhalers with them at all times and seek medical advice if their symptoms worsen by contacting their GP or NHS 111.

“It is important that you protect yourself from smoke, whilst also keeping cool. Further information on how to stay safe during periods of warm weather can be found on Public Health Wales website: https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/environmental-public-health/extreme-hot-weather/

“When sheltering indoors, open windows that are on the opposite side to the plume/smoke when it is safe to do so and when the air feels cooler outside than inside to get air flowing through the home, for example, at night. Once the smoke has moved away, consider opening doors and windows to allow properties to cool down, being mindful of changing conditions and that the smoke could return.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have approximately 100 staff on scene, with 14 appliances, specialist assets including a drone to provide situational awareness and tactical officers tackling the blaze. Senior officers on scene are liaising with Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council and local contractors to establish a plan to extinguish the fire in the next few days.

No one has been injured, and no adverse effects have been reported in the area at this time. There are no particular concerns for any nearby dwellings and therefore no evacuations are being considered at this time.

The B4325 road is closed, so the public are asked to avoid the area and take an alternative route.

Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas, who attended the scene said: “Crews have worked extremely hard tackling the fire in hot and challenging conditions, to mitigate against the effects to the environment and from a public health perspective. Crews are also attending a large grass fire in Newgale, meaning approximately 20 appliances have been in attendance in the area tackling fires. This has placed a great deal of strain on our local resources.”

We thank the public in the area for their cooperation and understanding whilst every effort is made to bring this to a safe conclusion as soon as possible.