PORT TALBOT: In pictures — the aftermath of the Water Street fire as crews continue to damp down

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has released dramatic new images showing the scale of the operation at the Water Street industrial fire in Port Talbot – with crews continuing to damp down the site after what became one of the largest fire incidents in the region in recent years.

The fire broke out at the commercial waste site on Wednesday 30 April and required eight fire stations from both Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service at its height. Drone footage and ground-level images released by the service show the full extent of the destruction, with the site completely razed across a vast footprint alongside the River Afan.

Crews worked through the night and into the following days to damp down the smouldering waste, with council JCB crews assisting on site. Natural Resources Wales confirmed no pollution entered the River Afan from firefighting run-off – a significant reassurance for the local environment.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed the incident has now entered a controlled phase, with crews set to remain on scene for the foreseeable future to continue damping down and managing any remaining hotspots. Materials will be moved on-site by the fire service and the site operator to facilitate this process.

The service has warned that occasional increases in smoke or very small flare-ups may occur as crews carefully extinguish remaining material, and that current weather conditions may cause smoke to linger longer than usual before dispersing. “These changes do not indicate a deterioration of the incident but reflect steady progress in the final stages of bringing the incident to a conclusion,” a spokesperson said.

Natural Resources Wales has confirmed that air quality monitoring deployed overnight and continuing today has found particulate concentrations at “moderate” levels — below the threshold where the general population would be expected to experience health effects if exposed for 24 hours.

NRW waste regulation officers have returned to the site today, working closely with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service as the incident moves into the recovery phase. Materials will continue to be moved on-site to extinguish remaining hotspots, and NRW has warned that occasional increases in smoke or small flare-ups may occur as work progresses.

Partner agencies have advised that while adverse long-term health effects cannot be completely ruled out, the risk is considered very low. The advice remains for residents and businesses to keep windows and doors closed while smoke is present, reopening them once it has cleared. Anyone feeling unwell should seek appropriate medical advice.

Our full Port Talbot fire coverage

PORT TALBOT: Huge industrial fire sends black smoke billowing over town as eight fire stations scramble to Dock Road
Our original report as the fire broke out on Wednesday 30 April.

PORT TALBOT: Fire crews still battling Dock Road blaze as dramatic new images emerge from inside the site
Our second report with aerial images from inside the site as crews fought on through the night.

PORT TALBOT: Schools keeping pupils indoors as fire crews remain on scene at Water Street blaze
Thursday’s update as road closures were put in place and schools kept pupils inside.

PORT TALBOT: Fire enters controlled phase as road closures lifted and air quality monitoring deployed
The latest update as the fire came under control and road closures were lifted.

PORT TALBOT: Fire enters controlled phase as road closures lifted and air quality monitoring deployed

The major fire at Water Street in Port Talbot is entering a controlled phase and de-escalating, with both road closures now lifted and air quality monitoring deployed across affected areas throughout the day.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews will remain on scene for the foreseeable future to continue damping down and managing hotspots, supported by Neath Port Talbot Council JCB crews.

Both the A4242 Afan Way dual carriageway and the Afan Way/Water Street westbound carriageway have been reopened. The adjacent footpath and cycleway remains closed at this time.

Air quality monitoring has been deployed throughout the day in areas affected by the smoke plume to assess any impacts and help protect public health. The advice remains for local residents and businesses to keep windows and doors closed while smoke is present, opening them again when the smoke passes. People who feel unwell should seek appropriate medical advice.

Natural Resources Wales officers have been on site throughout the day providing specialist advice to the fire and rescue services and the site operator. Monitoring of the nearby River Afan has confirmed there has been no pollution entering the river from firefighting water run-off – a significant reassurance for the local environment.

Fire and rescue services will now support the transition into the recovery phase, working closely with Natural Resources Wales to ensure the site remains safe and to minimise any ongoing environmental or community impact.

The fire broke out at the Water Street commercial site yesterday morning, where around 200 tonnes of commercial waste had been stored. At its height it required eight fire stations from both Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Earlier today, schools in the area kept pupils and staff indoors as a precaution while smoke drifted across the town, and rest centre facilities were placed on standby by the council.

Residents in the Water Street area are asked to continue following guidance from emergency services while crews complete the damping down operation. The footpath and cycleway adjacent to the site remains closed until further notice.

Anyone with concerns about the smoke or their health should contact NHS 111 for advice, or call 999 in an emergency.

Our Port Talbot fire coverage

PORT TALBOT: Huge industrial fire sends black smoke billowing over town as eight fire stations scramble to Dock Road
Our original report as the fire broke out yesterday morning.

PORT TALBOT: Fire crews still battling Dock Road blaze as dramatic new images emerge from inside the site
Aerial images from inside the site as crews fought the blaze through the night.

PORT TALBOT: Schools keeping pupils indoors as fire crews remain on scene at Water Street blaze
This afternoon’s update as road closures were put in place and schools kept pupils inside.

New Miami-based Pura Vida location announced for Tampa's Water Street! I've been hoping for this announcement for nearly 5 years! 🙏🤑🤤

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqo-uZkcXt/?igsh=MmJxbnlpd2Z3aGNy

#Tampa #WaterStreet #Florida #PuraVida

French-style bistro opens in Milwaukee

French-style bistro opens in Milwaukee Cassis restau…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Frenchculinary #3rdward #Cassis #culinary #culinarytraditions #francais #france #French #FrenchCulinary #Frenchculinarytraditions #french-stylebistro #jamesbeardaward #Milwaukee #owner #prestigiousjamesbeardaward #previousculinaryhonor #restaurant #st.paulavenue #thirdward #waterstreet #WINEBAR
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2510686/french-style-bistro-opens-in-milwaukee/

£1,000 reward to trace men in trilby hats after Carmarthen burglary

Dyfed-Powys Police say the incident happened on Water Street on Tuesday 26 August. Officers have released an image showing the men, three of whom have their faces covered with glasses and scarves or masks. The fourth man’s face is partially visible from the nose down. All four are wearing black trilby-style hats.

A Crimestoppers Wales spokesperson said:

“Dyfed-Powys Police would like to speak to these men in connection with the burglary in Carmarthen. We are offering a £1,000 reward for information that could help in their arrest or conviction.”

The charity stressed that to be eligible for the reward, information must be given directly to Crimestoppers, not to the police. Callers should request a reward code when contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If submitting information online at crimestoppers-uk.org, the ‘keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code requested at the time.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity that has enabled people to report crimes anonymously since 1988. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

#burglary #Carmarthen #Crimestoppers #DyfedPowysPolice #reward #TrilbyHat #WaterStreet

Merseyside Police:

We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.

We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.

#Liverpool #WaterStreet #UK