**Multiple Vehicles Consumed in Significant Garage Fire in Abercarn, Sending Thick Smoke Over the Town**
Several vehicles were destroyed following a major fire that broke out at a garage in Abercarn, sending dense, black smoke billowing into the skies and prompting warnings to residents. The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) responded swiftly to the incident, which occurred in the evening hours of Monday, 17 June.
According to eyewitness reports and statements from emergency services, the fire ignited at a commercial garage near High Street at approximately 6.30pm. Photographs taken from the scene revealed clouds of dark smoke dominating the skyline, as emergency vehicles quickly assembled to tackle the blaze.
One local resident, who did not wish to be named, was present at a nearby pub when the incident unfolded. “I had just popped out to the front of the pub and suddenly saw a massive plume of smoke rising behind the old school building which has recently closed,” he recalled. The resident described the smoke as being particularly dark and difficult to breathe, and reported hearing “crackling sounds and mini-explosions” as the fire took hold.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service released a statement confirming the scale of the destruction. The fire devastated a single-storey commercial garage, razing a total of five vehicles: a caravan, a van, and three cars were completely destroyed, while another vehicle sustained partial damage. In addition, the building’s exterior was affected by the radiated heat.
Due to the intensity of the smoke and potential health risks, firefighters urged local residents to keep their windows and doors tightly closed until the situation was fully under control. Several people in the vicinity commented on the dramatic nature of the fire, with some expressing a sense of shock and concern for the affected businesses and community members. “The community is feeling a bit numb at the moment,” observed one witness, adding that several locals appeared visibly upset as events unfolded.
Responding to the fire was a coordinated effort involving not only the fire service, but also Gwent Police, Natural Resources Wales, and National Grid personnel. Their presence underscored the seriousness of the incident, not only from a firefighting perspective but also in terms of environmental and public safety.
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the “stop message”—officially marking the conclusion of emergency fire operations—was transmitted at 8.40pm, a little over two hours after the fire began. This swift response arguably helped to prevent further damage to nearby properties and safeguarded the community from additional hazards.
At the time of reporting, the cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed, and an investigation is likely to be underway to determine how the blaze started. Gwent Police have been contacted for further statements, and local authorities are expected to release more information as it becomes available.
Incidents such as this serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact sudden fires can have on communities. Thanks to the efforts of multiple emergency services, the damage was contained to the garage and adjacent vehicles. Nevertheless, the sense of disruption in Abercarn remains palpable, with both business owners and residents facing a period of recovery ahead.