A unit on Bridgend Industrial Estate has been destroyed by a large fire
A building that was destroyed in a huge fire was occupied when the blaze started but everyone escaped safely, the fire service has said.
The blaze at the former Sony UK unit on Bridgend Industrial Estate broke out at about 20:30 GMT on Friday.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the 245m x 110m (800ft x 360ft) building had almost structurally collapsed within seven minutes.
The blaze was declared over at about 08:20 on Saturday.
The fire service said its crews were still at the scene on Saturday and that Kingsway, Queens Road and South Road would be closed for the “foreseeable” future.
It added that there was “extensive fire damage” to the building and its roof had partially collapsed.
Footage from the scene shows the large fire which has engulfed a building in Bridgend
South Wales Police said its crews remained at the scene on Saturday and advised motorists to avoid the area.
The fire service sent 10 engines, four water carriers and two aerial ladder platforms to tackle the blaze overnight.
Liarne Bell, who works at nearby Phil’s News & Cafe, told BBC Wales on Saturday: “It’s all everybody’s talking about, we’re all a bit shocked by it.
“It was total worry, a total shock last night. I mean they shut the entire estate so we didn’t even know if we’d be able to get in this morning.
“We probably had people working [in the burned down building] coming in here every day… thank God no-one was hurt, that’s the one consolation.”
Image source, Matthew Horwood
The 245m x 110m (800ft x 360ft) building was showing signs of structural collapse when fire crews first arrived
Whocult, a donut and coffee shop in the industrial estate close to the fire, announced it would be closed on Saturday.
In a statement on social media it said a power outage has been caused by the blaze and access to the shop and bakery was still restricted.
“Thankfully, our building remains unharmed, thanks to the efforts of the South Wales Fire and Rescue team who worked tirelessly overnight to contain the blaze,” it said.
Eyewitness Abby Bolter told the BBC she heard a “large bang” before the blaze.
“I heard people shouting and assumed it was fireworks, then I saw the fire… smoke must be 200ft in the air,” she said.
Neil Davies, of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “All emergency responders on scene worked extremely hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control.”
Fire crews were supported a the scene by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, South Wales Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Natural Resources Wales, National Grid and Bridgend council.
Image source, Ricky Elward
The fire broke out at a unit on the Kingsway in Bridgend Industrial Estate
Mr Davies added that the blaze was prevented from spreading to neighbouring businesses and multiple “high value items” were salvaged.
“SWFRS will work closely with SWP to establish the origin, cause and development of the fire, but this is unlikely to take place until next week,” he said.
“All emergency responders would like to thank the local community for their support and apologise for any disruption caused whilst they bring the incident to a safe and successful conclusion.”
