Large blaze breaks out at industrial site

A LARGE firefighting operation was under way near Pontypridd last night following eyewitness reports of several explosions in the area.

Black smoke was visible for miles around from around 7pm yesterday.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said officers were called to the Pentrebach Road area, just off the busy A470 and near the University of South Wales campus in Treforest.

The blaze reportedly started at a car body repair workshop where a number of gas cylinders were said to have “exploded”.

Locals said other industrial units on the road included a builders yard and a double glazing firm.

Resident Gwyn Davies said: “Everyone has been evacuated from about number five up to number 20.

“It was quite frightening. There was some explosions. There were bangs. It was toxic.

“Tyres and everything would have gone up. It was well out of control.”

Lauren Beynon, 21, said: “It started at about 7pm. We heard some explosions going off. There were a few explosions.”

John Richards, an IT worker who lives around a mile away, said he heard between six and 12 explosions coming from the site.

He added: “I thought it might have been a mountain fire at first, but the smoke was too thick and black and dense for that.”

A Welsh Ambulance spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 7.24pm to an auto-body repair shop in Pontypridd.

“The call came through from the fire service as a large fire.

“Possible acetylene cylinders have exploded.

“Nobody is in the property but the smoke is causing problems in the area. Five of our specialist vehicles are on scene and the fire is ongoing.”

Jennie Griffiths, head of joint fire control at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said there was “significant” structural damage to the building.

Four fire engines were sent to the scene from Pontypridd, Caerphilly, Abercynon and Whitchurch fire stations.

It was also confirmed that the industrial unit where the fire broke out housed a number of vehicles.

Last night South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were warning local residents to stay indoors.

A spokesman said: “Due to smoke residents are advised to please keep windows closed.”