UK power station on fire with locals told ‘close your windows’

A British power station is on fire billowing smoke for miles across the sky.

The fire broke out at the Aberthaw Power Station in Barry, South Wales, this morning.

South Wales Fire and Rescue confirmed eight fire engines had been deployed to tackle the inferno.

The service said: ‘We are currently attending a large fire at Aberthaw Power Station, Barry.

‘Residents in the local area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to large amounts of smoke. Thank you for your calls.’

Aberthaw Power Station, which generated electricity from coal, was closed in 2020 after concerns from the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide it produced. Environmental groups argued that it was one of Wales’ largest sources of greenhouse-gas emissions.

Coal generation formally ended in 2019, and the station officially closed on 31 March 2020, ending nearly 60 years of power generation on the site.

Andrew RT Davies, Member of the Senedd for the area, said: ‘Deeply concerned by the fire at the Aberthaw Power Station site.

‘Authorities have advised all residents in the area to keep windows and doors closed.

‘I’d like to thank the brave firefighters in attendance at the scene who are working hard to make the area safe.

‘If any constituent requires further information, please do get in touch.’

CCR Energy, the company redeveloping the site to produce alternative energy, said: ‘We are aware of an incident involving a fire at our site.

‘The situation is currently being managed by the emergency services and our on-site teams. All personnel have been reported safe. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.

‘We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.’

This is a breaking news story… More to follow…