Homes evacuated after fire at property
AHOME has been “totally destroyed” in a major fire in Pontypridd, which saw nearby properties evacuated and several roads cordoned off.
Numerous roads were closed in the town yesterday morning after the blaze gutted at least one property.
Images from the scene showed the ferocity of the fire that ripped through the terrace house in Hurford Crescent.
Police last night said they were investgating the cause of the blaze and, thankfully, reported there were no casualties.
Next door neighbour Ken Churchill, 73, said he was woken up “by a loud bang, as though things were collapsing in on themselves next door”.
He added: “I could smell smoke, the air was thick with it. But when I phone 999 it was clear they were already on their way.
“Luckily, my nephew is putting me up until we can get all the smoke out of there. Next door the other side was far worse off.
“I think the fire got into their via the roof space and caused a lot of structural damage.”
Another local resident, who did not want to be named, said he’d “heard a commottion at around 6.30am” and “stuck [his] head out the front door”.
He added: “I could see smoke and flame. Next thing, the emergency services were outside unreeling their hoses”.
He said he didn’t think anyone was in the property at the time.
Reports suggested many homes in Hurford Crescent and nearby Heath Crescent were evacuated, with people taking refuge at nearby St Catherine Church.
A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were called to the terraced property at 7.09am and attended with seven “water ladders”.
A spokesman said the home had been “totally destroyed” in the fire but there were no casualties.
Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the morning and crews from Pontypridd, Abercynon, Tonypandy, Caerphilly, and Gilfach Goch stations were all in attendance.
A spokesman for South Wales Police confirmed yesterday morning that road closures were in place at Hurford Crescent, Heath Crescent and Graigwen Road between Graigwen Place and Llwynmadoc Street. It is expected to remain closed for some time.
Hurford Road remained closed yesterday afternoon, but nearby roads had returned to normal.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police later gave the following update: “South Wales Police was alerted by the fire service to a house fire in Hurford Crescent, Pontypridd, just before 7.30am today. There are no casualties, and the cause of the fire is being investigated.”