Police and fire crews have rushed to the scene of a fire in Treharris on Sunday afternoon and residents have been evacuated from their homes with multiple properties affected.
Many residents are in a local community hall while others in the surrounding areas have been told to keep their windows and doors closed during what South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) is describing as a “large scale incident”.
The incident, which started in a garden property on the street, spread to multiple homes and is ongoing at Victoria Street in Treharris and roads are also closed at Mary Street and Thomas Street.
One resident told WalesOnline at the scene that he thought about ten houses had been evacuated in his street. He told how the fire had started in a garden before spreading “right up the street, just igniting everything”. Stay informed on everything Merthyr Tydfil by signing up to our newsletter here
Fire officers working at Thomas Street on Sunday evening as residents told they can’t return to their homes for hours(Image: Richard Swingler)
Sharon Jones, another resident who has been evacuated, said her husband had tried to help tackle the fire with hosepipes before it spread further.
Ms Jones said: “I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden I saw this fire so I called my husband. I could see the whole garden and shed was on fire and then my husband and neighbours got hosepipes and next thing they said the ambulance hall was on fire.
“That just went up and we all had to get out then because some of the gardens are very close to it. We’re waiting now to see if we can go back in.”
Large plumes of smoke could be seen coming from behind a St John Ambulance hall and video footage showed the sky blackened and thick with smoke.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen coming from behind a St John Ambulance hall and video footage shows the sky blackened and thick with smoke(Image: Richard Swingler)
Many residents living in all three streets have been evacuated while others have been allowed to stay. Some of those evacuated gathered beside a fire engine outside the cordon at around 6pm where they were instructed they couldn’t return to their properties for at least six hours, although they’ve since been told it could be much earlier.
Stuart Townsend, the group manager for SWFRS, has been speaking to press at the scene. Shortly before 6pm he said: “The fire service received a call this afternoon to a fire in Victoria Street, Treharris.
“On arrival the fire had spread to a number of external buildings so we had the response of five fire engines, three water bowsers and one hydraulic platform, as well as support from police and our colleagues at Welsh Ambulance.
“Fighting the fire from either side of the two streets and using hydraulic platform to attack it from above extinguishing the fire. Our crews will be working for a few hours more to damp down and ensure the fire is extinguished.” He confirmed there have been no casualties.
Some of those evacuated gathered beside a fire engine outside the cordon at around 6pm where they were instructed they couldn’t return to their properties for at least six hours(Image: Richard Swingler)
National Grid is also at the scene and all electricity to homes in the streets has been turned off and isn’t expected to be turned back on until much later this evening or potentially into tomorrow morning.
A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service had said earlier in the afternoon: “SWFRS has asked residents in Victoria Street, Treharris, and surrounding areas to close their windows and doors as crews deal with a large scale incident.
“At 3.21pm today crews were called to a fire in the garden of a property in the street. Crews from Aberbargoed, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and Maindee are currently dealing with the fire. Three water bowsers are also at the scene.”
While there are multiple emergency services at the scene including police, ambulance staff and fire officers, it has been confirmed there are no known casualties (Image: Richard Swingler)
Residents are still being asked to keep all windows and doors shut, and people are also being urged to avoid the area until further notice if possible.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police added: “Emergency services are currently dealing with a fire on Victoria Street, Treharris. A number of properties have been evacuated, with residents directed to a local community hall. The following road closures are in place: Mary Street, Thomas Street. Access to Treharris via Windsor Place.
“Large plumes of smoke are visible in the area. Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely and keep routes clear.”
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