TATA STEEL was urged by Unite to protect jobs today after a major fire at its Port Talbot steelworks caused “substantial damage to a vital production line.”

An eyewitness described “apocalyptic” scenes after the blaze broke out at one of the south Wales site’s processing lines around 8pm on Wednesday.

The Rapid Relief Team UK supported fire crews involved through an “incredibly demanding and hazardous” night after part of the building “collapsed in” and complicated efforts to contain the blaze.

Tata Steel confirmed all staff members had all been accounted for and safely evacuated and that the incident was not related to the demolition of an empty gas holder, which took place earlier that evening.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “I want to thank the emergency services for bringing the situation under control so quickly.

“Thankfully no-one was injured in the fire and workers were evacuated safely.

“However, the fire did cause substantial damage to a vital production line. Measures must now be put in place to protect jobs both at Tata and down the supply chain during any period of disruption.

“We are asking Tata and the government to ensure that operations are rebuilt as swiftly as possible.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Tata Steel’s site in Port Talbot is one of the largest steelworks in the world, employing roughly 2,000 workers.

The company, which runs several major steel facilities in Europe and India, said that it cannot yet assess the damage from the blaze and any impact it will have on the products it makes.

Work has been under way to construct an electric arc furnace that will melt scrap steel after the factory closed its two blast furnaces in 2024, leading to thousands of job losses.

The work of processing steel has continued in the absence of any furnaces, with hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel products constantly in production.

Imported steel slabs are turned into finished products for sectors including construction, automotive and packaging.

Unite Wales secretary Peter Hughes added: “Unite is committed to working with the company to ensure the long-term future of Port Talbot and the entire Tata operation in the UK.”