This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8335066.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Homes evacuated after explosion Homes evacuated after explosion
(about 1 hour later)
Thirty houses have been evacuated following what is believed to be a gas explosion. Fifty homes have been evacuated following a gas explosion near a railway station.
Police said emergency services had been called to Abercanaid in Merthyr Tydfil, close to Pentrebach railway station. There are no reports of any injuries. South Wales Police said emergency services were dealing with the incident at Alexander Place, Abercanaid, in Merthyr Tydfil.
Officers said 30 properties had been evacuated along Alexander Place. Some 35 residents are currently being housed at a temporary rest centre in a church hall.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which has sent two fire engines, said it was believed a gas main was involved. 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 mains close to Pentrebach railway station.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which also said a gas mains was involved, has sent two fire engines.
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."
The residents are being housed at the St Peter and St Paul church hall in Chapel Street, Abercanaid.