A freight train that derailed and caught fire in South Wales was hauling 25 wagons each holding up to 100 tonnes of diesel or gas oil, investigators said.
Ten of the train’s wagons derailed as it passed through Llangennech, near Llanelli, at 11.15pm on Wednesday.
The derailment and subsequent damage to the wagons ‘resulted in a significant spillage of fuel and a major fire’, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said.
A train that derailed while passing through Llangennech, near Llanelli, on Wednesday was hauling 25 wagons each holding up to 100 tonnes of diesel or gas oil
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the derailment and subsequent damage to the wagons ‘resulted in a significant spillage of fuel and a major fire’
Following the fire at 11.15pm on Wednesday, around 300 people within an 800-metre exclusion zone were asked to move as a major incident was declared
The RAIB added its investigation will seek to identify the causes of the derailment and how these led to the fire, as well as ‘any underlying management factors’.
Local people reported ‘seeing a plume of flames and smoke, and the strong smell of fuel’, the RAIB also said.
The driver, who was unhurt, reported the accident to a railway signaller.
No one was injured in the fire and two workers who were on the train are set to be interviewed by police.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire has been extinguished and control of the scene was handed over to British Transport Police and Network Rail at 8.30am on Friday, more than 33 hours after the accident happened.
There were fears that diesel spillage into the nearby River Loughor could spell disaster for the local cockle fishery industry, with the Food Standards Agency advising the closure of shellfish beds in the area’s estuary.
The RAIB said its investigation will seek to identify the causes of the derailment and how these led to the fire, as well as ‘any underlying management factors’
Local people reported ‘seeing a plume of flames and smoke, and the strong smell of fuel’, investigators have said
Two employees were on board the train at the time, but no injuries have been reported, shocking pictures show flames and smoke billowing into the night sky during the blaze
The train, owned by DB Cargo UK, was travelling from Robeston oil refinery in Milford Haven to a fuel distribution terminal in Theale, Berkshire.
Officers declared a major incident and knocked on the doors of houses in an 800-metre exclusion zone, asking around 300 people to move to the nearby Bryn School and Llangennech Community Centre.
Police were said to have told the locals the train could ‘explode at any moment’.
The residents were allowed to return to their homes after 5am on Thursday.
Locals described balls of smoke billowing into the sky and the smell of diesel as they were taken out of their homes and placed into two evacuation centres.
Mum-of-three Louise Perkins, 38, said she was forced to leave her home with her children aged 19, 12, and seven at midnight.
Around 300 people were taken to two evacuation centres on Wednesday night, they were allowed to return to their homes after 5am on Thursday
The train, owned by DB Cargo UK, was travelling from Robeston oil refinery in Milford Haven to a fuel distribution terminal in Theale, Berkshire
The fire was extinguished and control of the scene was handed over to British Transport Police and Network Rail at 8.30am on Friday, more than 33 hours after the accident
Ten wagons of the train, which were each carrying up to 100 tonnes of highly-flammable fuel, derailed in the accident on Wednesday night
Louise said: ‘There was this massive fire and black smoke.
‘As we left it was just fire – you could see like balls of it puffing up, and smell the smell of diesel.
‘It was just everywhere, and there were just black, black clouds of smoke in the air.’
Louise said she was told by officers that the train could explode at any moment after it was derailed at about 11.20pm.
She said: ‘At that point my children were up and and they got really distressed.
Nearby residents described balls of smoke billowing into the sky and the smell of diesel as they were taken out of their homes
Two members of the train’s crew escaped unharmed following the blaze and will be interviewed by police
‘They were worried – ‘oh, what if our house catches fire, what about all the stuff?’
‘I told them not to panic But my youngest was really upset, she’s seven, she was just heartbroken, she was crying.’
The blaze – which broke out at around 11.20pm on Wednesday – is being investigated by specialist investigators from British Transport Police.
A BTP spokesman said: ‘A cordon around the scene will remain in place and people are still being advised to avoid the area.’
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: ‘This is a significant incident.
Residents within the exclusion zone were moved to the nearby Bryn School and Llangennech Community Centre after the fire broke out
‘Resources from across BTP, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police have been deployed to the scene to mitigate damage to the surrounding area and ensure the safety of all those living nearby.
‘The fire continues and there is still a substantial risk within its immediate vicinity, so our advice remains for people to avoid the area.
‘Our officers will be conducting initial enquiries into the incident and are in the process of securing key witness statements and CCTV.
‘Once the fire has been extinguished, and the scene is safe to assess and investigate, we’ll be working with the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish the exact circumstances behind the incident.’
One resident, Mum-of-three Louise Perkins, 38, said said she was told by officers that the train could explode at any moment as she was forced to leave her home
There are fears diesel spillage into the River Loughor could spell disaster for the cockle fishery industry, as the Food Standards Agency advised the closure of shellfish beds
Police are working with the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to look into what caused the fire
Locals could see the fire raging from miles away after it broke out just after 11pm on Wednesday
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were contacting people living in the evacuation area and asking them to leave their homes and convene at Bryn School.
Superintendent Ross Evans said: ‘This is a fast-moving situation, which has been declared a major incident.
‘There are a significant number of emergency services personnel at the scene, and an evacuation zone has been put in place.
‘Officers are in contact with people within that area asking them to leave their homes, and we urge people to comply with officers’ requests to ensure a swift and efficient evacuation.’