Treforest fire: Body found after explosion on industrial estate

A body has been found after a fire on an industrial estate in South Wales.

South Wales Police declared a major incident after it was called to reports of an explosion at a premises shortly after 7pm on Wednesday night.

Officers remain at the scene of the incident on Treforest Industrial Estate today.

Formal identification of the body has not yet been completed, police say.

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

“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 joint investigation team from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Police, along with the Health and Safety Executive, are at the scene working to determine the cause of the fire.

Building ‘at risk of collapse’

There was a significant response from emergency services at the scene on Severn Road in Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf, last night.

The local health board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg, was on high alert for several hours.

Roads were closed into Thursday morning and residents were advised to keep all doors and windows shut because of the smoke.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it responded to “repeat calls” about an explosion at Mindset Gym, Rizla House.

Deputy chief fire officer, Dewi Rose, said the building was “totally alight and at risk of collapse”.

Councillor Karl Johnson, who represents Llantwit Fardre and Efail Isaf on the local counci, told Sky News he was “saddened” to hear the development.

He said his “thoughts and prayers” were with the person’s family.

“I would like to place on record my gratitude to the emergency services and Rhondda Cynon Taf council personnel for their professional response to this major incident,” he added.

Rhys Mordaunt owns RM Sports Massage and Therapy and has been based at Mindset Functional Fitness gym in Rizla House for around a year and a half.

He told Sky News he understands his room is “completely gone”.

Mr Mordaunt said he was at football training when he found out what had happened.

“By that point, everything was already everywhere on the news and on Facebook and all that,” he said.

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He said he hadn’t yet tried to reach the site so as to allow emergency services to continue their response.

“One of the guys who owns the room next to me, he said that he was there and luckily he got out,” Mr Mordaunt added.

“But he’s told me that the rooms are all gone so I’ve got a good understanding of what’s happened down there now.”