June 2, 2012:

Today marks the first anniversary of the devastating Chevron refinery blast which killed four workers at the plant near Milford Haven. Sion Morgan caught up with a community scarred by the events of June 2, 2011.  Sitting proudly on the mouth of the River Cleddau in picturesque Pembrokeshire, the natural landscape surrounding Milford Haven conceals an industrial heart that provides life to the town’s population of 13,000. Its natural deep water port, the third biggest in the UK, handles more than 20% of the UK’s energy, with a cluster of related businesses along the Waterway driving economic activity in West Waless. But on June 2, 2011, the harsh realities of that industry were starkly observed by people across Wales as four members of the tight-knit community lost their lives in Britain’s worst refinery disaster for almost four decades.

The families of Julie Jones, 54, Denny Riley, 52, Robert Broome, 48, and Andrew Jenkins, 33, are no closer to learning why a 730 cubic metre storage tank at the Valero (formerly Chevron) oil plant in Rhoscrowther exploded with such devastating effect that day. Surviving victim Andrew Phillips still does not know why or how his colleagues perished. Now, as the town marks the one year anniversary of the disaster, the people of Milford Haven reflect on a tragedy which will shape the community for generations to come. “A year on, people here have moved on but have not forgotten,” said Milford Haven port chaplain Steve Traynor. “The amazing thing about Milford Haven is its community spirit, and the disaster did draw people together in an inspiring way.

How we first reported the incident: Four killed in explosion at Pembroke Chevron refinery.

“You have to remember, though, that the industry here is the lifeblood of the community. Almost everybody who lives in the area is connected in some way to our refineries and oil companies and so if you took the industry away the community would disappear.” Villagers in nearby Angle and beyond can still vividly remember the bang and the sweeping expanse of thick, black smoke which engulfed everything in its path 12 months ago. Rob Noble from the Old Point House pub said: “It’s something that anyone who saw or heard it will never forget. The noise actually shook the windows of the pub.” In Milford Haven resident Jane Philpott can still smell the burning black smog. “Everyone here will tell you the same,” she said. “The awful stench rising up into the air, and the realisation that nobody near the blast could have survived it. “I never want to experience that sense of blind panic again, when people were phoning each other for news, desperately trying to reach loved ones to check they were fine.” Another resident, Tony Davies, said: “Even now, months later I don’t think a week goes by when you aren’t reminded about what happened.

“Whether you here someone talking about it in the shop, see an article in the paper or hear about some other industrial incident, it’s always in the back of your mind. “And of course every day we see the refinery, the chimney stacks, huge ships in the port. “It reminds you of what happened, but it also reminds you that life goes on in a strange way.”

Inquest opened into deaths of Chevron refinery explosion victims

Mr Noble added: “The aftermath here has been tinged with a feeling of low-key anger. “Angle in particular is a village where most, if not all the community is connected with the refinery or businesses that feed it. “And everyone who worked there knew the people who died.  “People want to know why their friends and loved ones have gone. “There seems to be an underlying sense of mistrust but of course we all understand that investigations must be thorough. “It is not something that is spoken about so much anymore but it’s not something that will be forgotten.” A renewed sense of community saw thousands gather at Milford Haven RFC’s Observatory Ground in Hakin in August for a charity rugby tournament which raised thousands for the families of the victims. Milford Haven RFC full-back Lee Riley, the plasterer son of refinery blast victim Mr Riley, said: “All the lads here grew up with my dad, they all knew him and were keen to get involved.”

Organiser Darren Lewis said: “Without a doubt the whole community here felt the effect of what happened. “In the aftermath local businesses supported us and everyone pulled together.” Today, all personnel at the Valero refinery will gather together for a private remembrance and period of silence to remember the tragic incident which took the lives of four contractor colleagues. A spokesman for the company said: “Neighbouring industrial sites surrounding the Haven Waterway will also mark the silence at 1.30pm.

“Prayers will be offered in the towns of Pembroke, Milford Haven and surrounding areas in remembrance of those who lost their lives.” Milford Haven mayor Guy Woodham will also call for a moment of reflection at the town’s jubilee celebrations today. “It is amazing just how quickly a year has passed since the awful tragedy,” he said. “It feels like far less time, probably because the community remains deeply affected by what happened. “It shocked everybody but of course also brought them together and as the anniversary approaches that awful raw emotion has been rekindled for many, specially I imagine for the families of those who died and everyone who knew them.” Mr Woodham added: “Milford Haven is an area of extreme natural beauty but we are also in an area driven by the industry created from our waterway and the Chevron disaster reminded everyone here just how vulnerable we are in this location. “That is why the most important thing now is that lessons are learnt.

“Of course there is also a feeling that we cannot yet get closure because the findings of investigations into the explosion's cause still hang over us. “It's obviously vitally important that no stone is left unturned and so that is why the process has taken so long. “But for many it is difficult to move on without knowing why this happened so we can stop it from happening again.” Earlier this week Dyfed-Powys Police revealed that two employees of US oil giant Chevron have been questioned in connection with gross negligence manslaughter following the deadly explosion. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing. It is being conducted by Dyfed-Powys Police and also a dedicated team at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A spokesman for the force said in excess of 1,800 potential witnesses have come forward in 12 months with over 200 providing statements to date. A spokesman for Valero said: “The HSE and Police investigation into the incident is on-going and Chevron and Valero continue to provide their full co-operation to all the investigators.”

Port chaplain Steve Traynor added: “The important thing to do, and the thing that people are united in achieving, is making sure lessons are learnt, changes are made and a tragedy like this never happens again. “If you take another recent anniversary as an example, we have just marked 100 years since the Titanic sank. “It was obviously a very long time ago but the changes made in protocol, design, almost every aspect of shipping since then has made a huge difference. “Lessons must and will be learnt but we will never forget those who lost their lives.”

By WalesOnline