‘Apocalyptic’ Tata Steel fire sees ‘substantial’ damage to production line in Commodity News 06/06/2026 People living near the Tata Steel plant in south Wales have been asked to stay indoors after a “major” fire broke out. The blaze started at one of the Port Talbot site’s processing lines at about 20:00 BST on Wednesday with staff safely evacuated, Tata Steel said. Large plumes of smoke were visible from the site and could be seen across the surrounding area. South Wales Police said emergency services remained at the scene on Thursday and were working to manage the incident. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the incident had caused “substantial damage” to a “vital production line”. Rapid Relief Team UK (RRT) said “around 100 responders faced an incredibly demanding and hazardous night’s work”. Tata Steel UK said on Thursday evening that Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service remained on the Port Talbot site and retained control of the area where the fire took place. “We are therefore currently unable to assess the cause of the fire, the scale of the damage or the potential impact on operations,” it said. A company spokesperson confirmed that the fire was restricted to a confined area, and that while the site’s Hot Rolling Mill was paused as a precaution, it was unaffected and was expected to re-start production shortly. The fire service added the response had been scaled back throughout Thursday afternoon and it expected its remaining crews to leave during the evening. Local residents had been advised to keep windows and doors closed “if there is smoke in the area”. Siân Thomas, who lives in Margam, said she could see the fire from her window. She recalled hearing a loud bang on Wednesday night that “frightened everybody and the animals”, followed by the sound of alarms. “The smoke got thicker and the sky was black,” she said. “It was very scary.” Thomas said she was “so grateful” to the fire brigade for bringing the blaze under control and working thr