CITY BLAZE PROBED
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a large fire that broke out in Cardiff tyre garage.
Residents in a large part of the city were told to keep their windows closed as more than 80 firefighters from Wales and England dealt with Sunday night’s blaze.
Roads around the scene of the fire at an industrial estate on Seawall Road in the Tremorfa area of the city remained closed yesterday morning.
Photographs from the scene yesterday showed the charred and blackened wreckage left in the blaze’s aftermath.
One witness told of how they had been in the area shortly after the fire took hold but had to leave because of the “black, acrid smoke”.
Fire crews say they were called to the scene at 6.51pm on Sunday after reports of a fire at an industrial unit storing tyres.
Sajjad Anwar, owner of Topline Tyres, said he was called on Sunday evening by a number of local people who told him his garage was on fire.
The 36-year-old father of four said he is devastated after working so hard to build his business up.
He said: “I got so many phone calls to say that the garage was on fire and I rushed down.
“Nothing could be done anyway because the building was already on fire and the flames were crazy.
“We have no idea how this happened, we follow all our safety procedures.
“It took me 10 years to build this up from scratch, now we have nothing not even a power socket.
“You can ask any of the locals and they’ll tell you how hard we have worked to get to the position we are in.
“Check the Google reviews and you will see what kind of people we are.
“Times are hard already and now I am out of work and also my workers are out of pocket also.”
Mr Anwar added: “I want to thank everyone, all the local community for their support and what they’ve done for me.
“Since last night, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing and I want to thank the local community and my customers who have given me the most amazing support.”
One person living locally warned others on Sunday evening to take action as smoke billowed across the city. They said: “If you live in Cardiff, close all windows. Smoke and smell spreading rapidly with winds. If you live Tremorfa, Splott, Adamsdown, Pengam Green and potentially Roath or Rumney, close all windows.
“Huge fire happening right now in Tremorfa, Seawall Road and smoke and smell is spreading.”
A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “At approximately 6.51pm on Sunday we received reports of a large fire on Seawall Road in Splott, Cardiff.
“Over 80 firefighters attended the scene and used a range of specialist equipment to extinguish the fire.
“When crews arrived they were faced with a well-developed fire which spread to the buildings adjacent.
“Emergency service colleagues, including Avon Fire and Rescue Service, worked continuously through the night and the fire was brought under control.
“Crews remain at the scene as a safety precaution and work continues to ensure the area is made safe.
“A fire investigation will now take place to ascertain the cause of the fire.”
Crews attended from Roath, Cardiff Central, Whitchurch, Ely, Duffryn, Cwmbran, Barry, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, Maindee, Aberbargoed, Merthyr, Pencoed, Avon and Tonypandy all attended.