One person remains unaccounted for, a building has been destroyed, and a major incident declared after a fire at an industrial estate in South Wales.
Emergency services remain at the scene of a huge blaze on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Rhondda Cynon Taff. It follows reports of an explosion at a property shortly after 7pm on Wednesday.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says a two-storey building was “totally alight” and “at risk of collapse” while emergency services declared a major incident. Local NHS services said they remained on “high alert”, with people asked not to attend A&E unless “absolutely necessary”.
While on person remains unaccounted for, three were treated at the scene before they were discharged, a Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said. Families living nearby have been asked to keep their doors and windows closed.
South Wales Police says business are asked to implement their own “continuinty plans” to see how they can deal with on-going road closures that could impact them throughout the night and into the morning. People are also being asked to avoid the area.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dewi Rose, said: “At 7.05pm this evening SWFRS responded to repeat calls about an explosion at Mindset Gym, Rizla House, Severn Road on Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd.
“SWFRS currently has 16 pumping appliances, a number of special appliances and officers in attendance. The latest from the scene is that the building, a large multi-use use two storey, commercial premises, is totally alight and at risk of collapse.
“Our partners from South Wales Police, WAST, Wales & West Utilities, NRW, RCTCBC, CTMUHB and National Grid are supporting us to deal with the incident, and at the moment our focus is firmly fixed on the emergency response.”
Jonny Foxhall, 36, the owner of nearby music venue Green Rooms, told the PA news agency: “Our front door was flung open so we went out to see what had happened.
“We could see a smoke cloud and an orange glow from above the treeline quickly followed by flames. To feel the shockwave from the explosion is something I’ve never experienced before.”
