Incident Report Subject: Pembroke Chevron refinery blast: Inquiry after four die Date of Email report: Fri 03/06/2011 Report Detail:
Chevron confirmed that the four people who died were contractors and said another worker was receiving treatment in hospital for serious injuries. Greg Hanggi, refinery general manager, said: "The loss of our co-workers has come as a huge shock to us all. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to their families. We will ensure that all employees and contractors are fully supported throughout this difficult time." He added that Chevron would take every step possible to determine the series of events leading to the tragic incident and ensure that any lessons learnt from it would be learned. Mr Hanggi also paid tribute to the emergency services who attended. First Minister Carwyn Jones offered his sympathy to bereaved families and workers, adding: "I am shocked to learn of the accident at the Chevron refinery in Pembroke". Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan added her condolences to families and colleagues of the dead. "We've been in contact with Chevron and Milford Haven Port Authority and have been asked to be kept fully informed about the investigation into this tragic event," she said. "It is essential to understand how this tragedy occurred." Eyewitnesses in the area described the moment when the blast occurred.Marcus Lutwyche, owner of a shop in the village of Angle near the refinery, said: "I ran to the front and saw a huge plume of smoke. It was black and filled the sky. It must have been 50 or so metres wide." His wife, Joanne Lutwyche, said: "Quite a few people in the village work at Chevron and would have been changing shifts when the explosion happened, so everyone's really concerned for who might be involved. "The last time something like this happened must have been about 17 years ago."
Additional Documentation: Videos and further information here: http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16004659 Police Report from: http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/news/latest-news/201106/multi-agency-statement-in-relation-incident-chevron-oil-refinery-pembroke-do Friday, 03 June 2011 01:00am Gold Commander of the incident from Dyfed Powys Police, Chief Superintendent Gwyn Thomas said: “Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 18:22hrs reporting an explosion at Chevron Oil Refinery at Pembroke Dock. “Paramedics have confirmed that four people lost their lives as a result of the incident, Officers are now in the processes of informing the next of kin and will support the families throughout this difficult time. Our thoughts are now with the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased. “Five fire appliances were mobilised immediately (two from Pembroke Dock; two from Milford Haven and one from Tenby). Specialist fire appliances were also mobilised including two foam vehicles, a chemical incident unit, a high volume pump from Pembroke Dock, environment unit from Pembroke Dock and a control unit from Carmarthen. “The fire was a result of an explosion in an 730 cubic metres storage tank whilst maintenance work was carried out, damage was also caused to an adjacent storage tank. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies said,“Crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue assisted the onsite Chevron fire personnel throughout the operation. The fire itself was extinguished quickly and the crews worked to make the scene safe for Police to start their investigation. “We can confirm that any material released into the atmosphere as a result of the blast were immediately dispersed. The wind was blowing off shore, away from residential areas. Members of the public can be reassured that there is no ongoing risk to health as a result of the incident.” Chief Superintendent Gwyn Thomas continued,“A police investigation is now underway, with the Health and Safety Executive, and early indications show that this was a tragic industrial incident. “Police officers have secured the scene and colleagues from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue are working to make the site safe to enable a multi agency investigation into the cause of the explosion to commence.” Notes to editors: Environment Agency Wales has been providing technical advice to the emergency services and will carry out a full investigation into the incident alongside the Health and Safety Executive. No formal identifications have taken place, the Coroner has been informed. No further information will be released until Friday morning.
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