A HOPPER loaded with anthracite pellets self-ignited on Tuesday morning at a Capel Hendre fuel manufacturing plant.
The alarm was raised shortly after 7 am when neighbours of Ynys Mining on Capel Hendre industrial estate spotted smoke pouring through a roof vent.
Two tenders from Ammanford fire station were dispatched to deal with the blaze. “The men came back looking like colliers,” said a brigade spokesman. “They were black from head to toe.”
Mr. Paul Williams, managing director of Ynys Mining, which manufactures and bags anthracite pellets, said the only damage to the plant was caused by smoke.
“The fire started of its own accord in a hopper loaded with four tons of manufactured pellets,” he said. “The premises were empty at the time and I was told about the fire while I was getting ready to come to work.
“The only loss we incurred was the pellets themselves. At least it shows we have a good product which burns well!”
