Firefighters tackle gorse fires

The fire above Port Talbot came close to homes in the town

Firefighters across Wales have been tackling a number of gorse fires which have caused disruption.

In south Wales, some homes in Aberavon had to be evacuated for a brief period because of a fire.

Firefighters also tackled a mountain fire at Machen near Caerphilly.

In north Wales, the B5111 road at Parys Mountain on Anglesey has been closed to traffic between Pentrefelin and Rhosybol because of smoke, with another mountain fire in Bangor.

The gorse fire on Anglesey was spread over two to three acres.

South Wales Police became concerned after a large gorse fire near Broom Hill above Aberavon RFC moved close to housing.

A small number of residents on Broom Hill were asked to leave their homes for a short period of time.

We were concerned for residents and a number were evacuated as precaution for a short time Insp Chris Daniel

Inspector Chris Daniel said police were investigating the cause of the fire after two youths were seen leaving the scene.

"We believe it to have been started on hill above Aberavon RFC," he said.

"It was spreading over the hillside and approaching housing. We were concerned for residents and a number were evacuated as precaution for a short time.

"There was no damage to property or injuries."

Crews further east have been fighting a fire on Machen Mountain near Caerphilly for two days. Six appliances were sent to the area on Thursday evening.

A South Wales Fire Service said the crews were withdrawn overnight because it was too dangerous for them to continue in the dark.

A fire on Bangor Mountain near the town's golf course on Thursday evening also needed three appliances to tackle it.

Earlier this month, a fire on Coedwig Llangwyfan in Denbighshire burned for six days despite attempts by crews to extinguish it.