TWO LEFT CRITICALLY INJURED AFTER FIRE
TWO people were fighting for their lives yesterday after a large explosion and fire tore through a South Wales property.
Five people were taken to hospital after Monday evening’s blast on a residential street in Llanbradach, near Caerphilly.
Police confirmed yesterday that two of the casualties have “life-threatening” injuries.
A police cordon remained in place around the charred wreck of the property. Most of the roof had collapsed, and there was no glass left in any of the first floor windows.
Eyewitnesses described how local residents ran out of their homes armed with hose pipes and kitchen cling wrap to treat the injured.
Mandy Short, 55, used her garden hose to pour water on a boy who had been in the house at the time.
She said: “The boy came up here, people had wrapped him in cling film and he had a wet towel on his back. I have a hose because I have a lot of plants in the garden so we were using that to pour water over.
“It was terrible, you could hear them screaming.”
One Dan-Y-Darren resident said a neighbour entered the building to rescue a mother and girl.
She said: “My husband was home, he said there were three sharp short blasts and then a lot of popping noises.
“He thought someone had banged our car, it was that loud.”
She added: “Everybody was helping out. The guy next door went in to get the mother out, he said her pyjamas were stuck to her.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. You see it on TV but you just don’t expect it a couple of doors away.”
It is believed a number of collegeage students were in the house with a mother and teenage son at the time of the explosion.
Brian Jenkins, who lives on the same street, said: “It happened so quickly that by the time emergency services got here I don’t think there was a lot they could do, just control the fire.”
Michelle Burrow, 34, was in her house when the explosion – which could be heard from miles away – happened nearby.
She said: “At about half past five I ran out to try and help. A neighbour went in to get the mother out and there were more explosions after.
“The fire just tore through the house and went up through the roof in minutes. Even if the emergency services were on the doorstep I don’t think they would have been able to salvage anything.”
Gwent Police has launched a joint investigation with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. No other people are being sought in connection with the fire.
Investigators had yet to confirm what caused the blast but a utility firm said initial investigations ruled out that it was linked to the gas mains network.
Jason Evans, group manager for South Wales Fire and Rescue, said: “On arrival our crews were faced with a well developed fire and a number of casualties being assisted by neighbours at the scene.
“First aid was carried out initially by neighbours, then by paramedics and fire officers at the scene.
“The fire was brought quickly under control by a total of five fire engines and one aerial ladder platform. A total of 25 firefighters in all.”
Neighbour David Prince, 62, has set up an online fundraising page to help the injured.
He said: “The three boys are studying construction at Coleg Y Cymoedd in Ystrad Mynach. The tutors are devastated.”
He added: “Since I put the page up I have been inundated with clothes, furniture, anything people can give.”