Five properties in Hazelwood Road, Pantside, Newbridge have been destroyed (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Five homes have been destroyed after a devastating fire erupted on a quiet Welsh street. Around 20 people were forced to leave their homes as flames tore through properties in Pantside, Newbridge, on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters were called shortly before 4pm, according to WalesOnline, with the blaze causing extensive damage to homes on Hazelwood Road. Caerphilly councillor Jamie Pritchard said six properties were severely affected, while five homes have been reported as completely destroyed. Dramatic pictures from the aftermath show properties reduced to charred shells, with roofs collapsed, windows shattered and interiors gutted by the flames. No casualties have been reported. The fire is believed to have started on grassland behind the bungalows on Hazelwood Road before spreading to the homes, nearby shrubbery and across the road. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.
Six properties in total were severely affected by the major fire in Pantside, Wales (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Residents living nearby described how flames came within metres of their properties, prompting neighbours to rush outside with hosepipes and buckets of water in an attempt to stop the fire spreading.
Pamela Hughes, who has lived in Pantside for 47 years, said she first smelled smoke at around 3.40pm while at her home on Old Pant Road, which sits in front of Hazelwood Road.
She went outside to bring in washing from her line and was confronted by flames billowing from the field directly behind her garden.
Speaking to WalesOnline, she said: “It was awful. The field was in flames. I have goosebumps thinking about it.”
Ms Hughes said neighbours raced to help protect her property, using hosepipes and buckets of water to wet her garden and try to prevent the flames from reaching her home.
She added: “If it wasn’t for them, [the fire] would have got to my garden and my house would have gone. It was that close. Absolutely petrifying.”
Trees blackened by the awful fire (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Speaking about those who lost their homes, she said: “It’s terrible.
“They’ve worked all their lives for those houses – it is absolutely heartbreaking.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent 12 fire appliances, two water bowsers and an aerial ladder platform to the scene, while residents were told to stay away and keep windows and doors closed because of smoke.
The public was also warned not to fly drones as they could disrupt emergency operations.
Those evacuated were initially supported at Newbridge Leisure Centre or in temporary accommodation before all those affected were checked into a Premier Inn by around 2.30am on Thursday.
The council said it would help families arrange longer-term temporary accommodation while structural engineers assessed the damaged properties, which the authority believes are all privately owned.
Close up of one property completely destroyed (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Crime scene investigators were working behind police cordons on Hazelwood Road on Thursday, while residents on Old Pant Road were asked to provide any CCTV which could help the investigation. Wales & West Utilities and National Grid were also working at the scene.
Councillor Gary Johnston described the situation as “dreadful”, saying: “It is just dreadful, and heartbreaking for all the families involved. I can assure residents that whatever they need, we as a council will support them. The whole community is strong, and we will rally around them like we always do.”
Resident Helen Williams was reunited with her Cane Corso, Kobi, in the early hours of Thursday after the dog fled as her home burned. Kobi suffered burns to his paws, while Ms Williams and her dog were recovering at a hotel.
A GoFundMe set up to support families who lost their homes had raised almost £5,000 by Thursday afternoon.