Blaze in three high street shops

The building was well alight by the time firefighter arrived (Pic by Katy Lloyd and Kayley Miles)

Firefighters have tackled a blaze in three shops in Blackwood's high street which broke out on Saturday afternoon.

South Wales Fire Service received a call at 1515 GMT where they found a three-storey building "well alight".

The stores were evacuated along with a pub whose drinkers were watching Wales' rugby international against Italy.

Gwent Police inspector Robert Witherall said the blaze was not being treated as suspicious. He said: "There has been some disruption to the high street."

The shopping street in the Caerphilly county town was cordoned off to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze.

The store in which the fire broke out was unoccupied.

However, it is believed one person had to be taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire was near the Y Coed Duon pub which was cleared once the blaze took hold.

Insp Robert Witherall said: "Obviously people have been inconvenienced being evacuated from the public house at that time in the afternoon."

He said an engineer had inspected the building damaged by fire, which was being boarded up.

The road was reopened on Saturday evening.