Child and three firefighters rushed to hospital after 'apocalyptic' wildfire destroys homes in Stourbridge amid 34C heat - as 'major incident' declared
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By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Families saw their homes destroyed as a suspected wildfire swept through a village and caused utter devastation.
Pictures from the scene on Thursday morning showed the utter devastation on Hazelwood Road in Newbridge in the aftermath of the fire.
Houses have been gutted, with the roofs collapsed and all belongings, furniture, and interiors turned to ash. All that is left of the homes of the families affected, is rubble.
Thankfully, there are no reported casualties.
Neighbours living in the former mining village had gathered to watch Wednesday's eclipse when the blaze broke out.
Locals believe the fire started on a field behind houses in Pantside, Newbridge, and spread quickly to nearby homes.
Neighbours rushed to douse the flames with garden hoses and buckets of water before the fire service arrived but at least five homes were completely destroyed.
Families saw their homes destroyed as a suspected wildfire swept through a village and caused utter devastation
Neighbours rushed to douse the flames with garden hoses and buckets of water before the fire service arrived but at least five homes were completely destroyed
Several homes were evacuated after being gutted by the blaze and more than 20 people were forced to seek refuge in a nearby leisure centre or put up in a hotel.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated by officials.
Caerphilly councillor Gary Johnson said: 'Everyone was getting ready yesterday to witness the eclipse, and for this to happen last night was a total shock.
'It is just dreadful, and heartbreaking for all the families involved.
'The whole community is strong, and we will rally around them like we always do.'
Julie Nicholls, 74, was evacuated from her home by officials and had to wait anxiously to see if the fire would reach it.
She said: 'We could hear all the banging and the flames going up,' she said.
'The next thing I know the police were knocking on my door and we had to go.
Several homes were evacuated after being gutted by the blaze and more than 20 people were forced to seek refuge in a nearby leisure centre or put up in a hotel
Locals believe the fire started on a field behind houses in Pantside, Newbridge, and spread quickly to nearby homes
'We were sat in the leisure centre and there were a few people that had actually lost their homes.
'They were being so brave, I mean to lose everything.
'I felt absolute fear, you know, you don't expect to open your door and see a fire next to you.'
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it received a call–out on Wednesday at around 4pm and deployed a number of resources to the scene of the fire, including 12 fire appliances, two water bowsers, and an aerial ladder platform.
They urged residents in the area to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke from the fire and added that further updates will be provided when more information becomes available.
Newbridge RFC said they were 'absolutely heartbroken' to have seen the horrendous fire on Wednesday evening, adding that they hearts go out to everyone affected by 'such a frightening and horrendous event'.
The club said their clubhouse would be open in the morning to offer hot and cold drinks along with changing and shower facilities for people affected.
A gofundme has been launched with has so far raised more than £2,000 to help the families.
The fire came hours before Britain faced one of its hottest days on record – with temperatures expected to hit 38C (100F).
The Met Office has extended the area of its rare 15–hour amber 'extreme heat' warning, which came into force at 9am this morning.
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