A major incident has been declared at an industrial estate in south Wales after a loud explosion was heard before a large fire broke out.
Local NHS emergency departments are on “high alert”, with people asked not to attend A&E unless “absolutely necessary”.
South Wales police said roads around Severn Road in Treforest, Pontypridd are closed.
The force added: “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. Please avoid the area.”
The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health board wrote on X: “URGENT MESSAGE – Due to the ongoing incident at Treforest Ind 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.”
Karl Johnson, a local councillor, said he understands the incident occurred at Mindset Functional Fitness, with the front of the building “completely destroyed” and a nearby car dealership also potentially affected.
He told Sky News that more than 15 police cars and 10 ambulances have been deployed to the scene.
Fellow councillor Andrew Morgan wrote on X: “There is a significant fire on the Treforest Industrial Estate, emergency services are on the scene … please avoid the area”.
Bus operator Stagecoach in South Wales said its 132 and 120 services are unable to serve Rhydyfelin and Hawthorn on their return journey due to the incident in Pontypridd.
The manager of a nearby Esso garage, Krishnaraj Nadarajah, 40, told the BBC he contacted the fire service and shut off the pumps at the station.
He described hearing a “massive explosion”.
Nadarajah added: “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 the 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 shock wave from the explosion is something I’ve never experienced before.”
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