Huge inferno sweeps over oil refinery site as villagers urged to stay back

Firefighters tackled a huge blaze that has broken out on the site of a former oil refinery in Wales.

Huge plumes of smoke are billowing out of Impala Terminal, formerly known as Puma Energy in Milford Haven at 6pm on Monday.

A fire brigade spokesperson said: ‘Several Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews are currently responding to an incident at Robeston West in Milford Haven.

‘Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey to allow access for emergency services vehicles.

‘Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed if there is thick smoke in the area.’

Neighbour Donna Hooker told Metro said she had ‘popped’ her head out when she heard an alarm.

She said: ‘Everyone is safe here as far as I know.

‘The smoke is thinning now so the firefighters must have it under control.

‘The police were quick to block off the roads in each direction and emergency services were swift to respond.’

She added: ‘It used to be Puma Oil, now I think it’s called Impala. They have been demolishing the old oil storage tanks.’

Puma Energy operated the site until late 2022, when ownership and management were transferred to Impala Terminals. Despite the change, locals still refer to the depot as Puma and the original signage is understood to remain on site.

Another fire broke out in Oxfordshire ‘moving at a rate of knots’, according to locals.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were called at approximately 1.30pm today to reports of a field fire in Aston Tirrold.

‘It is estimated to be approximately 100 acres of field on fire currently.

‘We have 14 fire engines in attendance who are working to resolve the incident.’