NO charges of corporate manslaughter are to be made following the devastating June 2, 2011 explosion at the-then Chevron refinery in Pembroke in which four workers were killed.

A blast ripped through a storage tank at the then Chevron refinery.

The explosion killed Julie Schmitz (nee Jones) from Pembroke and Milford Haven men Andrew Jenkins, Dennis Riley, and Robert Broome, and inflicted serious injuries upon another worker. The four victims had 12 children between them.

A major criminal investigation commenced to consider offences of corporate manslaughter by the companies involved. This investigation was led by Dyfed Powys Police, and undertaken jointly with the Health & Safety Executive.

The on-going investigation sought to establish whether a potential offence under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 had been committed.

It is believed that this is one of the first times, since the introduction of the Act, that the use of this legislation has been considered against a large, multi-national company such as Valero Energy UK Ltd, (formerly Chevron).

Over the past four years, a dedicated team of police detectives and HSE specialists have been committed to this investigation.

Specialist lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service worked with the investigation team throughout the investigation process.

On Thursday, November 12, a joint statement from Dyfed Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has made the decision that following a review of the evidence in this case, there is insufficient evidence to proceed against any of the companies involved for offences of corporate manslaughter.

“This enquiry was extremely complex and left no stone unturned, whereby many experts and specialists were used to provide the best evidence possible to present to the CPS. The families of the deceased have been informed of the CPS decision, and our thoughts remain with them.

“As a result of the decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service, the investigation will now continue by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), using their powers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislation. This work will involve considering in due course whether there are any breaches of the above legislation and whether enforcement action is appropriate.”

The joint statement added it was not appropriate to comment further on the causes of the fire and explosion as the criminal investigation is continuing with the Health and Safety Executive.