**Firefighters Tackle Major Blaze at Pont-y-felin Industrial Estate as Smoke Visible for Miles Across Pontypool**
Emergency services were called into action in Pontypool on Thursday afternoon following reports of a significant fire at an industrial estate, with dramatic plumes of smoke seen drifting across the area and prompting urgent warnings to local residents.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service responded at approximately 4.15pm to the incident, which unfolded at the Pont-y-felin Industrial Estate in New Inn, Pontypool. The scale of the fire quickly became apparent, with dark smoke columns visible for miles, attracting considerable attention from the local community and forcing many to seek information about the developing situation.
Shortly after 5pm, fire officials took to social media to issue clear advice to residents, urging everyone in the vicinity to keep doors and windows securely closed. “Fire crews are in attendance at a large fire in the New Inn area, we advise residents to keep all doors and windows closed whilst we deal with the incident,” the Service shared, highlighting concerns about the potential health impacts of the smoke and airborne particles.
To tackle the blaze, four fire engines, supported by two water bowsers, were deployed to the site. The precise cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, but early reports from emergency service personnel suggested that the materials alight included rubber matting, pallets, and assorted refuse. The nature of these items contributed to the dense, black smoke that was so visible above the skyline.
The episode understandably led to heightened anxiety within the local population, with the fire service reportedly receiving 33 calls from the public as the situation unfolded. Many callers wanted clarity on whether they should evacuate or take additional precautions, particularly given the scale of the smoke and the proximity of nearby businesses and homes to the estate.
Local journalists noted that while dramatic, such incidents also serve as important reminders regarding the storage and management of potentially flammable materials in industrial areas. Industrial estates, with their combination of commercial activity and substantial quantities of goods and waste, are often at greater risk of such incidents. The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s ability to mobilise quickly and communicate effectively proved crucial in limiting the potential impact.
Photos and videos shared online by local residents and passersby gave a sense of the magnitude of the fire, with grey and black smoke towering above the rooftops and drifting far from its origin point. The event also caused disruption in the area, as authorities worked to ensure access for emergency vehicles and the safety of bystanders.
By 8pm, efforts to extinguish the fire had concluded successfully, and all responding crews had left the scene. A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed: “We were called to a fire at Pont-y-felin Industrial Estate at 4.15pm. We had 33 calls in total. The incident has now concluded and we have left the scene.”
In the wake of the incident, concerns may linger over the possible environmental and health effects of the large amount of smoke released, but prompt action by the emergency services appears to have prevented further escalation. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and continue following safety recommendations in the aftermath of such events.
As industrial blazes become a more frequent news item in the UK, the incident in Pontypool reinforces ongoing discussions about fire safety regulations and the responsibility of businesses to manage waste and materials securely. For now, attentiveness by first responders and cooperation from the community minimised the potential for greater harm, and attention will shift to any follow-up investigations and practical lessons to be learned from the event.