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Blaenau Ffestiniog mountain fire: Residents of 20 homes return | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Families in about 20 homes had to be evacuated after a large fire engulfed a mountain in Snowdonia. | Families in about 20 homes had to be evacuated after a large fire engulfed a mountain in Snowdonia. |
About 30 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, at its overnight peak. | About 30 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, at its overnight peak. |
Eyewitness Chris McPhail said: "As I was driving up I could just see the glow and a load of smoke. It just looked like a volcano." | Eyewitness Chris McPhail said: "As I was driving up I could just see the glow and a load of smoke. It just looked like a volcano." |
The alarm was raised just before 20:30 BST on Monday, with residents asked to leave in the early hours of Tuesday. | The alarm was raised just before 20:30 BST on Monday, with residents asked to leave in the early hours of Tuesday. |
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was still dealing with hotspots flaring up in the area and crews remain at the scene - but say there is no immediate danger to residents. | |
Most residents have returned to their homes but locals are offering their spare rooms to any families still displaced by the fire. | |
Part of the A470 - the main route between north and south Wales - through the town was shut for several hours at Church Street but has now reopened. | |
BBC Wales' Laura Raymond said she was woken by firefighters "smashing open" fire hydrants at about 03:00. | BBC Wales' Laura Raymond said she was woken by firefighters "smashing open" fire hydrants at about 03:00. |
"The hill was literally glowing from behind," she said. | "The hill was literally glowing from behind," she said. |
The blaze is thought to have started behind quarry workings in an area overlooking the town called Garreg Ddu - Black Rock. | |
"Black Rock is like a huge gigantic lump of coal, with burning embers," said Ms Raymond. | "Black Rock is like a huge gigantic lump of coal, with burning embers," said Ms Raymond. |
But investigators will only start looking into what caused the fire when it is completely out. | |
"We've been well looked after and the crews have done an amazing job. We're just so thankful because the crews have directed it away from the houses." | "We've been well looked after and the crews have done an amazing job. We're just so thankful because the crews have directed it away from the houses." |
Geraint Hughes, who is managing the fire operation on the ground, said his teams had faced substantial challenges tackling the blaze. | Geraint Hughes, who is managing the fire operation on the ground, said his teams had faced substantial challenges tackling the blaze. |
"The rugged terrain and the steepness of it makes it difficult to put staff and personnel on the mountain to tackle it with beaters or hose-reels," he said. | "The rugged terrain and the steepness of it makes it difficult to put staff and personnel on the mountain to tackle it with beaters or hose-reels," he said. |
He said fire crews were "currently managing" the situation, however some areas were continuing to flare-up. | He said fire crews were "currently managing" the situation, however some areas were continuing to flare-up. |
Many of the evacuated residents spent the night in a cafe, including Jackie Brunger. | Many of the evacuated residents spent the night in a cafe, including Jackie Brunger. |
She told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales she was unaware of the blaze until fire crews arrived. | She told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales she was unaware of the blaze until fire crews arrived. |
"It was just glowing orange and it was absolutely frightening - I've never seen anything like it," she said. | "It was just glowing orange and it was absolutely frightening - I've never seen anything like it," she said. |
"We were told to get away as soon as we could, so we took our car and went to the cafe. | "We were told to get away as soon as we could, so we took our car and went to the cafe. |
"There was ash and bits of flame coming down. How far it has spread, so quickly - it was frightening." | "There was ash and bits of flame coming down. How far it has spread, so quickly - it was frightening." |
Sue Roberts opened up De Niros cafe for those told to leave their homes, and helped keep fire crews and police teams fed during the night. | Sue Roberts opened up De Niros cafe for those told to leave their homes, and helped keep fire crews and police teams fed during the night. |
"It's been a bit busy," she joked. "It looked quite spectacular when you think about it." | "It's been a bit busy," she joked. "It looked quite spectacular when you think about it." |