Body is found in hunt for person still missing after explosion sparked huge inferno on Welsh industrial estate

• The blast took place at Rizla House on the Treforest Industrial Estate in Severn Road, Rhondda Cynon Taff on Wednesday evening

South Wales Police said a body was found today in a search of the Treforest Industrial Estate site following a fire and explosion on Wednesday evening.

A joint investigation team from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Police, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive are on site to determine the cause of the fire. 

The explosion took place at Rizla House on the Treforest Industrial Estate in Severn Road, Rhondda Cynon Taff at around 7pm on Wednesday. 

The force said identification has not yet been completed but specialist officers are supporting the family of the person who was unaccounted for.

Detective Superintendent Richard Jones of South Wales Police said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family of the missing person.

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at Mindset Gym, on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, South Wales. December 14, 2023

A large plume of smoke rises from a fire at the Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, Wales, Britain, 14 December 2023

‘Now that the fire has been brought under control, we will move to the investigative phase to find out what caused this explosion and subsequent fire.

‘Roads are gradually being re-opened although some roads and businesses in the area will still be affected.

‘I want to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while this incident is being dealt with.’

A major incident was declared by emergency services, with the two-storey building described as ‘totally alight’ and ‘at risk of collapse’ by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

A fierce nighttime blaze could be seen at the large multi-storey building in video taken on Wednesday, with thick plumes of smoke billowing out into the sky. 

South Wales Police said this afternoon that while there were no reports of any serious injuries, one person remained unaccounted for.

The fire has since been largely extinguished, the force said, but small pockets remain, with police originally saying they had received ‘repeat calls’ about the blaze starting in the Mindset Gym in Rizla House.

Roads and businesses in the area continue to be affected, but some roads were set to be reopened later today.

Six pumping appliances, several other appliances and crews remain in attendance, with a high-volume pump used to draw water from the River Taff.

Tim Phipps uses a 2,000 square foot storage unit on the ground floor of the building to operate his business, PG Sound, which rents out audio and visual equipment such as projectors and speakers to the events industry.

The 43-year-old, from Pontypridd, faces an anxious wait to gain access and survey the damage.

Police, fire and ambulance services are in attendance at a major incident after an explosion on an industrial estate. A fire broke out on Treforest Industrial Estate, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in the early evening on Wednesday, December 13

Police, fire and ambulance services are in attendance at a major incident after an explosion on an industrial estate. A fire broke out on Treforest Industrial Estate, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in the early evening on Wednesday, December 13

A photo taken from a car showed the building engulfed by flames and smoke rising

Pictures from the industrial estate have shown a large building consumed by flames

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at Mindset Gym, on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, South Wales. December 14, 2023

A large plume of smoke rises from a fire at the Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, Wales, Britain, 14 December 2023

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at Mindset Gym, on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, South Wales. December 14, 2023

‘I’m a relatively small business but there’s a fair amount there in terms of value,’ he said, adding that he estimates around £100,000 worth of equipment is currently stored in the unit which he has occupied for more than 10 years.

‘It’s just the uncertainty and worry, especially just before Christmas.

‘People’s whole livelihoods have gone up in smoke, so the future is quite uncertain.

‘Everyone is thankful that, as far as we know, there were no lives lost.’

Multiple fire engines, police cars and ambulances were been pictured at the scene

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at Mindset Gym, on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, South Wales. December 14, 2023

Emergency services remain at the site of a fire at the Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, Wales, Britain, 14 December 2023

Emergency services at the scene on Severn Road, Treforest, in South Wales, after a major incident was declared following an ‘explosion’ at an industrial estate. Flames and smoke were seen after the fire broke out on Wednesday evening. Picture date: Thursday December 14, 2023

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at Mindset Gym, on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, South Wales. December 14, 2023

A police cordon at the site of a fire at the Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, Wales, Britain, 14 December 2023

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion at Mindset Gym, on the Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, South Wales, on December 14, 2023

Richard Hayward, 72, who is the landlord of Rizla House, said on Wednesday that there was a ‘severe explosion’ on the ground floor of the 60,000 square foot property, but he did not know which unit the fire started in.

A woman who works at a tattoo studio on the industrial estate said the business has been ‘destroyed’ by the blaze.

Lucy Artiss, 40, a tattoo artist at Sixteen Circles in Rizla House, 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 co-worker, 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.’

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