Flowers laid at industrial estate where person died following explosion and fire

Flowers have been laid at an industrial estate where one person died following an explosion and fire.

Emergency services were called to the two-storey building on Severn Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Rhondda Cynon Taf, at 7pm on Wednesday.

A major incident was declared, with the building, which houses a number of businesses including a gym, described as totally alight and at risk of collapse by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Searches were carried out at the site on Thursday after one person was unaccounted for, leading to the discovery of the body. There were no other reports of serious injuries.

Flowers were present at the police cordon on Friday, as firefighters continued working around the building.

South Wales Police appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident, or with footage from the area at the time of the explosion, to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Raikes said: “I would appeal to anyone who has any information and has not yet spoken to police to come forward and I would ask for anyone with any CCTV, Ring doorbell footage or dashcam footage to get in touch.”

The force previously confirmed that specially trained officers were supporting the family of the person who had died in the incident.

Anyone with footage is asked to use the link https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP23B79-PO1.

Those with information aside from footage should contact South Wales Police, quoting the reference number 2300423352.