A large fire has broken out at Essar Oil UK’s Stanlow oil refinery, which processes around a sixth of the country’s petrol needs.
The Cheshire Fire Service confirmed it is in attendance at Ellesmere Port.
All staff have been evacuated.
It is believed the fire broke out within a manufacturing building in the plant.
Owners Essar Oil say the refinery plays a key role in the UK economy, supplying 16% of all road transport fuels.
More than 900 staff are employed at the site, which processes around 200,000 barrels of oil per day.
Firefighters have been called to a fire in a manufacturing building at Stanlow Oil Refinery. We are currently tackling the blaze alongside on-site firefighters. More details – https://t.co/D7EzqeJ6e4 pic.twitter.com/0rSlD54TGI
— Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (@CheshireFire) August 22, 2018
The Cheshire fire service issued a statement: “Firefighters are liaising with onsite staff and the incident is confined to the site.
“Crews are using a ground monitor and a handheld monitor to extinguish pockets of fire.
“Crews are liaising with the Environment Agency and are managing the water being used at the scene.”
The UK’s environment agency is also aware.
We are aware of the fire at the Stanlow Oil Refinery in Elllesmere Port, #Cheshire and are working with @CheshireFire to reduce any environmental impact.
— Env Agency NW (@EnvAgencyNW) August 22, 2018