Treforest explosion live: Building ‘completely destroyed’ in major incident in South Wales

A major incident has been declared following an “explosion” at an industrial estate in South Wales.

Flames and smoke were seen after the fire broke out in Severn Road, Treforest, on Wednesday evening.

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

South Wales Police said: “We are at the scene of a serious incident on Severn Road, Treforest.

“The roads around the industrial estate are currently closed and are expected to remain as such for some time.”

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “Due to the ongoing incident at Treforest Industrial Estate this evening, all of our emergency departments are currently on high alert.

“Please help us by not attending A&E unless absolutely necessary. We need to be able to provide care to those who need it the most.”

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.”

He added: “To feel the shockwave from the explosion is something I’ve never experienced before.”

Pictures from the scene

09:58 , Athena Stavrou

Latest police update

09:24 , Athena Stavrou

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.”

Witness says car park “shook” following ”fireball explosion”

09:06 , Athena Stavrou

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.”

Fire still ongoing and concern for one person still missing

08:27 , Athena Stavrou

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”.

Treforest tattoo artist says business is “destroyed”

07:54 , Athena Stavrou

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.”

Police shares details of road closure in Wales

07:30 , Namita Singh

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

06:45 , Namita Singh

Major incident declared after ‘massive explosion’

06:00 , Namita Singh

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

No reports of any injuries from explosion

05:15 , Namita Singh

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.”

One person unaccounted for after explosion

04:30 , Namita Singh

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.

‘Tattoo studio destroyed by fire’

03:45 , Namita Singh

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.”

Everything we know about the explosion so far

03:00 , Lydia Patrick

A major incident has been declared by South Wales Police after a fire broke out at an industrial estate in South Wales tonight.

South Wales Police 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”.

The BBC reported how eyewitnesses heard a “massive explosion” and local authorities are warning residents to avoid the area.

Krishnaraj Nadarajah, the manager of a nearby petrol station, said: “It felt like it was an earthquake or something. We went outside and there was a fire starting to build up, it was a huge fire and smoke.”

Read the full story here

Major incident declared after ‘massive explosion’ at South Wales industrial estate

All hospitals in local area on major incident alert

02:30 , Lydia Patrick

Dr Dave Jones says all hospitals in the area are on standby to deal with the incident and potential injuries.

Swansea Bay NHS said: “Because of the explosion and fire in Treforest, all major hospitals in S. Wales including Morriston are on major incident alert. Avoid Morriston unless you have a v. serious illness or injury.

“The Minor Injury Unit @ NPTH is remaining open this evening if you have a minor injury. “

Police give update

01:30 , Lydia Patrick

Witnesses describe the scary scenes

00:30 , Lydia Patrick

Krishnaraj Nadarajah, the manager of a nearby petrol station, told the BBC: “It felt like it was an earthquake or something. We went outside and there was a fire starting to build up, it was a huge fire and smoke.”

Jonny Foxhall, 36, the owner of nearby music venue Green Rooms, told the broadcaster: “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.”

Karen Coles from Pontypridd said: “Never been so scared hearing of the explosion down Treforest industrial estate when Rhys’s football team were training. They are all fine never seen so many emergency services , hope everyone is safe.”

Another witness posted on Facebook: “We were outside the pottery going in when it happened. Literally thought a bomb had gone off.”

Another picture from the scene

Wednesday 13 December 2023 22:50 , Alex Ross

‘Large plumes of smoke'

Wednesday 13 December 2023 22:49 , Alex Ross

A reporter for LBC who is at the industrial estate in Severn Road, Treforest says he can see large plumes of smoke coming from the fire which he believes is close to a gym.

Ambulances and fire engines were in attendance at the scene, he added, while a helicopter could be seen flying overhead.

But still very little is known about the source of the fire, the damage caused and if there are any injuries.

What South Wales Police have said so far

Wednesday 13 December 2023 22:44 , Alex Ross

What we know so far about the major incident

Wednesday 13 December 2023 22:34 , Lydia Patrick

A major incident has been declared in South Wales after a major explosion happened at Treforest industrial estate near to Pontypridd.

South Wales Police 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”.

The explosion is believed to have taken place at Mindset Functional Fitness centre.

One witness shared on Facebook: “We were outside the pottery going in when it happened. Literally thought a bomb had gone off.”