Treforest fire – latest: Body found after ‘fireball’ erupts in South Wales industrial estate explosion
Witnesses saw a ‘fireball’ like explosion that felt ‘like an earthquake’ at around 7pm on Wednesday night
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A body has been found after an explosion at an industrial estate in South Wales.
A major incident was declared after residents reported feeling “explosions like an earthquake” as a large blaze broke out on Severn Road, Treforest.
One witness shopping in a nearby Tesco told The Independent that they saw a “very large fireball” that “shook the car park”.
Carys Elizabeth, 26, said: “I witnessed the fire from the Tesco car park. As I was walking to my car I heard the most horrific bang and the car park shook.
“The flames and fire were unimaginable. When I was driving past the estate a lady approached my car and said they were clearing the area as the gym and tile place had gone up in flames.”
The council worker added that they initially thought the noise may have been a lorry crash on the A470.
South Wales Police said explosions at the property were heard shortly after 7pm and although there are no reports of any serious injuries, one person remains unaccounted for.
Following the fire, several roads in the area will remain closed today.
No reports of any injuries from explosion
South Wales Police said there had been no reports of any injuries following the explosion and fire at Treforest Industrial Estate in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
The force said emergency services remain at the scene in Severn Road, following reports of an explosion at around 7pm on Wednesday, with the two-storey building “at risk of collapse”.
Roads around the estate have been closed and are expected to remain closed into Thursday morning. Residents living nearby have been told to keep their windows and doors shut.
Deputy chief fire officer Dewi Rose said: “At 7.05pm this evening South Wales Fire and Rescue Service 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.”
Major incident declared after ‘massive explosion’
A major incident has been declared by South Wales Police after a fire broke out at an industrial estate in South Wales.
The force said its officers were at the scene of a “serious incident” in Severn Road in Treforest, a village outside Pontypridd - and that roads around the estate had been closed.
Local NHS emergency departments are on “high alert” after the blaze, with people asked not to attend A&E unless “absolutely necessary”.
My colleague Lydia Patrick has more:
Major incident declared after ‘massive explosion’ at South Wales industrial estate
Emergency services are at the scene of a fire in Treforest in South Wales
In pictures: Flames and smoke seen after ‘explosion' at South Wales industrial estate
Treforest tattoo artist says business is “destroyed”
A tattoo artist who works on the industrial estate that suffered a huge blaze last night said the business has been “destroyed” by the explosion.
Tattoo artist Lucy Artiss, 40, who works at Sixteen Circles in Rizla House on Treforest Industrial Estate, said: “What I know is the explosion destroyed the entrance. Our tattoo shop is destroyed as well as the gym.
“I left just before it happened so I didn’t witness it,” she said, adding that her coworker, his client and gym staff “all managed to get out of the fire exit”.
“It was a lovely place, had a wonderful family feel to it. I’m gutted to have lost that.”
Fire still ongoing and concern for one person still missing
Local councillor Andrew Morgan said this morning that firefighting operations are still ongoing on-site as concern grows for one person still missing.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader wrote on X that “damping down” is still ongoing and structural officers from council will be on the scene at first light.
He added that there is “concern still one person missing”.
Witness says car park “shook” following ”fireball explosion”
A woman shopping in a nearby Tesco said the car park “shook” following a “horrific bang”.
Carys Elizabeth, 26, described the explosion she witnessed in Treforest as a “large fireball” followed by “unimaginable flames”
The council worker told The Independent: “I witnessed the fire from the Tesco car park. As I was walking to my car I heard the most horrific bang and the car park shook.
“The flames and fire were unimaginable. When I was driving past the estate a lady approached my car and said they were clearing the area as the gym and tile place had gone up in flames.”
She added: “Everyone in the car park thought [the sound] was a truck on the A470. It was a very large fireball.”
Latest police update
South Wales Police have issued their latest statement this morning on the Treforest fire.
Emergency services remain on the scene where a “fireball explosion” was seen at 7pm last night.
“Emergency services remain at the scene of a fire at a premises on Severn Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Rhondda Cynon Taff. This follows reports of an explosion at a property shortly after 7:00pm last night,” the statement reads.
“There are no reports of any serious injuries. However, one person remains unaccounted for.”
Pet shop closed following explosion
A pet shop on the industrial estate that suffered an explosion last night said they have closed due to the incident.
Petwise Reptiles is among the 13 businesses thought to have been affected by the blaze.
Last night, the store said they were “unaffected so far” but this morning updated customers to say they would be closed until further notice.
A social media post read: “Due to the ongoing incident with our neighbours on Severn Road we will be closed untill further notice. Further updates to follow, our thoughts are with the missing person.”
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