Homes evacuated after explosion

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Police secure the area around the raging fire

Fifty homes have been evacuated following a gas main explosion near a railway station.

South Wales Police said emergency services were dealing with the incident at Cardiff Road, Abercanaid, in Merthyr Tydfil.

Evacuated residents have been given the option to stay at a temporary rest centre in a church hall.

There are no reports of any injuries and it is not thought that properties have been damaged.

Police said initial reports suggested that 30ft (9m) high flames could be seen as gas escaped from a main close to Pentrebach railway station.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which also said a gas main was involved, has sent two fire engines.

You can't get within 150 yards - the flames are really big Councillor Brent Carter

A spokeswoman said the gas main was "well alight" and that crews would be on the scene for most of the night.

She added: "At the moment we have safety jets deployed in the area. Nobody has been injured.

"There has been a cordon placed around the mains for safety. It is not known what caused the explosion at this stage."

Evacuated residents have been given the opportunity to stay at the St Peter and St Paul church hall in Chapel Street, Abercanaid.

Councillor Brent Carter, who has been at the scene, said: "The flames are 30ft in the air. It's the main gas pipe going under and across the railway station.

"It's all gone up and the gas can't be just knocked off. They've got to leave it burn out, I was told.

Emergency crew

"There's police everywhere and you can't get in anywhere. You can't get within 150 yards - the flames are really big.

"I've been in the church hall and there's nobody there. They've gone to stay with relatives."

He said children had been seen "banging the pipes" before the incident happened.

"It is a big shock for the area, especially if it is mindless. We are having problems down there all the time. Perhaps the police will now sit up and take notice if it was the kids that caused this," he added.

Wales & West Utilities said in a statement: "We were alerted to an incident at 7.50pm today on Cardiff Road in Abercanaid, near Merthyr Tydfil, where a gas leak has been detected.

"An emergency crew was immediately dispatched and they are currently on site isolating the leak and making the area safe."

The statement added: "Supplies to properties in the area are not currently affected by this incident. The situation is being monitored and updates will be given as it changes."