Treforest explosion – live: One missing after ‘fireball’ erupts in South Wales as building at risk of collapse

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Treforest: Huge smoke cloud fills sky as fire rages after 'explosion' in South Wales

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One person is missing and at least one building has been destroyed after an explosion at an industrial estate in South Wales.

A major incident has been 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.

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Show latest update

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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.”

Athena Stavrou14 December 2023 09:241702544809

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.”

Athena Stavrou14 December 2023 09:061702542452

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”.

Athena Stavrou14 December 2023 08:271702540498

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.”

Athena Stavrou14 December 2023 07:541702539003

Police shares details of road closure in Wales

Namita Singh14 December 2023 07:301702536303

In pictures: Flames and smoke seen after ‘explosion' at South Wales industrial estate

Namita Singh14 December 2023 06:451702533600

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 Patrickhas 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

Namita Singh14 December 2023 06:001702530900

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.”

Namita Singh14 December 2023 05:151702528200

One person unaccounted for after explosion

One person is unaccounted for, at least one building has been destroyed and a major incident was declared after an explosion at an industrial estate in South Wales.

Flames and smoke were seen after a fire broke out at a property on Severn Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, at around 7pm on Wednesday.

The two-storey building was “totally alight” and “at risk of collapse”, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.

Three people were treated at the scene before they were discharged, a Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said.

Local NHS emergency departments were on “high alert” after the blaze, with people asked not to attend A&E unless “absolutely necessary”.

There are no reports of any serious injuries, however one person remains unaccounted for, South Wales Police said.

Namita Singh14 December 2023 04:301702525500

‘Tattoo studio destroyed by fire’

A woman who works at a tattoo studio at the industrial estate in south Wales said the business has been “destroyed” by the fire.

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.”

Namita Singh14 December 2023 03:45NewerOlder✕

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