Police and fire crews rushed to the scene of a fire in Treharris on Sunday afternoon and residents were evacuated from their homes with multiple properties affected.
Many residents were evacuated to Treharris Community Centre while other residents in the surrounding areas were told to keep their windows and doors closed during what South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) described as a “large scale incident”.
The incident, which started in a garden property on the street, spread to multiple homes at Victoria Street in Treharris and roads were also closed at Mary Street and Thomas Street.
One resident told WalesOnline that he thought about ten houses had been evacuated in his street. He said 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, who was also 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 were evacuated while others were allowed to stay. Some of those evacuated gathered beside a fire engine outside the cordon at around 6pm where they were instructed they might not be able to return to their properties for hours, although most were able to return a short while later.
Stuart Townsend, the group manager for SWFRS, spoke 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 were 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 also attended the scene and electricity to homes in the streets was turned off.
Shortly after 7pm the fire service confirmed it had left the scene. A spokesperson said: “South Wales Fire and Rescue Service tackled a large scale fire in the afternoon of Sunday, May 31.
“The fire impacted the gardens and outdoor structures of several properties in Victoria Street, Treharris, and spread to a disused St John Ambulance building nearby.
“Crews from areas including Merthyr Tydfil, Aberbargoed, Pontypridd and Caerphilly attended the incident following an initial call at around 3.20pm.
“Equipment including five main jets, two hose reel jets, water bowsers, an arial ladder platform, breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera were all used to deal with the incident. The stop message was received at 6.48pm.”
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)
In a statement on Sunday evening South Wales Police said emergency services were “scaling back” their response. “There is no believed risk to evacuated properties,” the force said, explaining residents were being allowed to return home.
You can recap the incident below. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice