August 19th, 1940, a daylight air raid by three Ju 88 aircraft, set alight an oil tank at the Llanreath depot. This created a huge column of smoke which was visible from a hundred miles around. The fire destroyed 11 of the 17 oil tanks. Brigades from across the country joined local fire fighters until about 650 men were tackling the blaze. Many were injured and five Cardiff firemen lost their lives when a tank collapsed and the contents engulfed them.