Bridgend fire: Arrest as building destroyed in industrial unit blaze

A man has been arrested following a fire that caused a building to collapse within minutes, police say.

The blaze, at a warehouse belonging to Owens Group on Bridgend Industrial Estate broke out Friday evening, the fire service said.

Doug Jeffrey, of trucking company Owens Group, said it was kitchen and toilet rolls that caught fire.

The fire service said there were no casualties.

The 25-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, South Wales Police said.

He was taken to Queen's Road police station on Saturday for questioning, before being released on police bail pending further investigation on Sunday.

"We'd like to thank local businesses and the public for their understanding and patience while this incident continues to be dealt with," a statement from the force said.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was declared over at about 08:20 GMT on Saturday.

A unit on Bridgend Industrial Estate has been destroyed by a large fire

Owens Group said: "A significant fire took hold and all emergency services were in attendance within minutes.

"All our staff exited the warehouse safely and have been accounted for. Thankfully none have suffered any injuries.

"Owens Group would also like to extend our sincere apologies for all of our fellow businesses in the immediate area who have been impacted by this unfortunate incident."

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, which measures 245m x 110m (800ft x 360ft), and the roof had partially collapsed.

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."

Welsh Centre Wales' Lloyd Parish was having dinner in Cardiff when a video of the blaze was sent to his phone.

His business, he believed, was one of the more fortunate.

"There's a couple of ones around the corner that have lost everything, so we are the lucky ones," he said.

"There were a couple of big businesses that lost a lot."

He thanked the fire service saying: "If not for them it would have been a very different story."

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.

The fire broke out at a unit on the Kingsway in Bridgend Industrial Estate

"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 at 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.

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."