Train fire in south Wales injures two as police declare major incident

Two people have been injured after a "significant" fire on a freight train carrying diesel in south Wales.

Emergency crews were called to Llangennech, near Llanelli, and nearby homes were evacuated after the fire was reported at around 11.20pm on Wednesday.

British Transport Police said the two injured people were employees and a number of carriages derailed and caught fire while Mid and West Wales Fire Service said three cars were alight.

Officers declared a major incident and knocked on houses in the 800-metre exclusion zone asking people to move to the nearby Bryn School and Llangennech community centre.

People were allowed to return to their homes after 5am on Thursday.

Superintendent Ross Evans, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "The safety of people living in the area was our immediate priority and an evacuation zone was put in place to minimise the risk of harm."

British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan added: "This is a significant incident.

"The fire continues and there is still a substantial risk within its immediate vicinity, so our advice remains for people to avoid the area.

"Our officers will be conducting initial enquiries into the incident and are in the process of securing key witness statements and CCTV."