Merthyr coaches fire investigation continues

Investigations are continuing into a fire at a bus depot which destroyed 30 coaches, five minibuses and a car.

The massive fire needed 40 firefighters to bring it under control after it broke out in the early hours of Sunday at First Call Coaches in Pant Industrial Estate, Merthyr Tydfil.

Investigators said they would need to study CCTV footage to help decide if the fire had been deliberately started.

The enormous blaze triggered a series of explosions.

The coaches were parked very close together, partly as a security measure to prevent anyone trying to steal fuel or batteries and parts from the coaches.

However firefighters said that had helped the fire spread so quickly.

Describing the scene, Dewi Jones from South Wales Fire Service told BBC Wales: "There's total devastation here, but in order for me to try and pinpoint where this started I need CCTV, something of that nature.

"The fire has caught hold and spread from one vehicle to the other and from a fire investigation point of view it's important that I capture as much evidence as possible, and in particular having a look at the CCTV that is available in the surrounding area to try and establish where the fire initially took hold."

He said there were a number of cameras on buildings in the surrounding area as well as on the first fire engines to arrive.

The burnt out shells of the coaches at Pant Industrial Estate in Merthyr Tydfil

Firefighters assess the damage after the huge blaze at First Call Coaches in Merthyr Tydfil