Port Talbot explosion: Two injured after massive blast rocks UK’s largest steelworks

Force of blast shook houses in early hours of Friday morning

Two people have been injured after a massive explosion hit the UK's largest steelworks.

Locals said their houses shook with the force of a blast at the Tata Steel site in Port Talbot in the early hours of Friday morning.

After the initial explosion, several fires were seen to break out.

Several bright flashes could be seen in video said to be of the incident, which was shared online.

Emergency services including paramedics and firefighters rushed to the site after 999 calls began to stream in at around 3.35am.

One local resident tweeted: “There was just a big explosion from port Talbot steelworks that just shook the house, hoping no one was hurt.”

Tata Steel confirmed two employees were “slightly injured when there was a spillage of liquid iron while it was travelling to the steel plant”.

The company said all fires had been extinguished shortly before 5am and that an investigation had begun.

The site was reopened by 6.50am as the business continued to assess any potential damage.

South Wales Police said two people had suffered minor injuries in the incident and urged locals to avoid the area.

Early indications suggested the explosion came from a train used to carry molten metal, the force said.

A general view of Tata steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

“Emergency services remain on scene but we have had confirmation that all members of staff are accounted for and there are only two casualties with minor injuries.

“Early indications are that the seat of the explosion was a train which carries molten metal into the works.

“The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site.

“South West Fire and Rescue Service have informed us there is no need for concerns re hazardous effects from the smoke from the fire.”

The force added that the M4 motorway remained open.

Tata Steel said its personnel were working with emergency services at the scene.

“We can confirm there are no serious injuries and all employees have been accounted for. All fires are now under control," the company tweeted.

Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock said the incident “raises real concerns about safety at the works”.

“It could have been a lot worse. Grateful as always to the emergency services for their rapid and effective response,” he wrote on Twitter.

PA