SOUTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE (SWFRS) RECEIVED A CALL AT 01.09 THIS MORNING TO GLANDWR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, ABERTILLERY.

ON ARRIVAL THERE WAS A WELL ESTABLISHED FIRE INVOLVING A LARGE INDUSTRIAL UNIT CONSISTING OF A GARAGE AND CARPET WAREHOUSE. AT THE HEIGHT OF THE INCIDENT, 17 APPLIANCES AND 70 FIREFIGHTERS WERE TACKLING THE FIRE.

THERE HAS BEEN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A PARTIAL COLLAPSE. DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE CARDIFF TO EBBW VALE LINE, RAILTRACK DID CLOSE THE SECTIONS IN THE ABERBEEG AREA, HOWEVER IT IS BELIEVED THAT THESE HAVE BEEN REOPENED THIS MORNING.
 
CREWS WILL BE REMAINING ON SCENE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY DAMPING DOWN. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN. SWFRS WILL BE CARRYING OUT INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE POLICE.

The telephone number for Blaenau Gwent Council is 01495 311556, and the Council is reminding local people to get in touch if they have concerns or if they are a vulnerable person that wishes to be moved to a rest centre.

Gwent police have been going door-to-door in the area closest to fire to ask people, who are vulnerable or who have medical conditions, if they wish to be transported to a rest centre that has been set up at Abertillery Sports Centre. 

Smoke from the fire is moving lower and looks likely to last several more hours. Residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed to the smoke. Environment Agency Wales and Blaenau Gwent Environmental Health are monitoring the situation

The advice from health agencies to residents in the affected area is to keep doors and windows closed, and to contact their GP in the usual manner if they experience any symptoms. 

Health agencies said; “Although we are not aware of any pollutants in the smoke from the fire that could cause ill health, it is always a sensible precaution to minimise exposure to smoke.  We would therefore advise local residents to go indoors, stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and tune into local radio and TV for further updates.

“Anyone who is concerned about their health or thinks they may have symptoms caused by exposure to the smoke should contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for advice.”

Firefighters are using water from the River Ebbw to damp down the fire. Environment Agency officers are monitoring the Ebbw and so far no environmental impact has been observed from any run-off.

Normal train services has resumed.

St Illtyds Primary School will remain closed all day.