Huge plumes of black smoke are billowing across Milford Haven after a fire erupted at a former oil refinery site on Monday evening. The blaze broke out at Impala Terminal in Robeston West, the facility previously owned by Puma Energy until late 2022, when ownership and management were transferred to Impala Terminals. According to WalesOnline, the inferno – first reported shortly after 5pm – involved a disused oil tanker.
Firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service descended on the scene, with crews advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed if thick smoke is in the area. 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.'
“A huge fire at a former oil refinery in Milford Haven sent black smoke across the region.”
Police also attended, blocking off roads in each direction. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'Officers are responding to an incident at Robeston West in Milford Haven. We are working closely with our partners on the response.'
Neighbour Donna Hooker told Metro 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.' A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service confirmed that no injuries had been reported.
The site, still referred to locally as Puma despite the change in ownership, is being operated by Impala Terminals, which describes itself as 'a leading global storage infrastructure operator that stores, handles and moves the essential resources that are critical to everyday life.' The original signage is understood to remain on site. Images and footage show a black cloud sweeping over the region, visible for miles as the blaze raged.