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Poundstretcher Blackwood: Shop fire started in outdoor bins Poundstretcher Blackwood: Shop fire started in outdoor bins
(35 minutes later)
A shop blaze which closed a main shopping street in a south Wales valleys town was started in outdoor waste bins, fire officers say. A fire which destroyed a shop and closed part of a main shopping street in a south Wales town was started in outdoor waste bins, fire officers say.
About 50 firefighters took six hours to bring the blaze under control at Poundstretcher in Blackwood, Caerphilly county.About 50 firefighters took six hours to bring the blaze under control at Poundstretcher in Blackwood, Caerphilly county.
South Wales Fire and Rescue service say the bin fire spread to the store room at the back of the shop. South Wales Fire and Rescue service say the bin fire spread to a store room.
Power was being restored to businesses in High Street by mid morning. The road closure has disrupted 10 shops but the council hopes to reopen all of High Street as soon as possible.
The stock room at Poundstretcher and first floor was also "well alight" when crews arrived. The street between Woodbine Road and the market place has been closed to vehicles and pedestrians because the Poundstretcher building is unsafe.
The shop's stock room and first floor were "well alight" when fire crews arrived.
A call was received at about 02:00 BST on Wednesday and the fire was under control by 07:53 BST although crews are expected to be damping down for much of the day.A call was received at about 02:00 BST on Wednesday and the fire was under control by 07:53 BST although crews are expected to be damping down for much of the day.
Crews from Cardiff, Merthyr and Aberdare areas have been at the scene.Crews from Cardiff, Merthyr and Aberdare areas have been at the scene.
Six engines and two hydraulic platforms were used to tackle the flames as well as four other powerful water jets.Six engines and two hydraulic platforms were used to tackle the flames as well as four other powerful water jets.
At one point there were 14 appliances present.At one point there were 14 appliances present.
Power was cut from some of the properties around the shop due to the fire's severity but was expected to be restored by mid-morning.Power was cut from some of the properties around the shop due to the fire's severity but was expected to be restored by mid-morning.
The cause of the fire in the waste bins is being investigated and while the road remains closed to traffic, it is open again to pedestrians. The cause of the fire in the waste bins is being investigated but the shop will need to be demolished.
The road remains closed to traffic and bus diversions are in place, while the section around Poundstretcher, which involves about 10 shops is also closed off to pedestrians.
Lyndon Moreton, area manger at South Wales Fire and Rescue, said: "Fire crews have worked extremely hard in arduous conditions and were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining shops."Lyndon Moreton, area manger at South Wales Fire and Rescue, said: "Fire crews have worked extremely hard in arduous conditions and were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining shops."
He said the fire was brought under control at 07:53 BST and fire crews will remain at the scene for most of the day damping down.He said the fire was brought under control at 07:53 BST and fire crews will remain at the scene for most of the day damping down.
Mr Moreton added: "All refuse bins should be located a short distance away from buildings and not directly up against the premises.Mr Moreton added: "All refuse bins should be located a short distance away from buildings and not directly up against the premises.
"This will assist to prevent a fire spreading should refuse containers be involved in fire.""This will assist to prevent a fire spreading should refuse containers be involved in fire."
Caerphilly council's building control officers are assessing the damage.
A spokesperson said: "It is anticipated that part or the whole structure will need to be demolished and this process will start today with a demolition contractor now on site.
"The council recognises that the High Street is an integral part of the community of Blackwood and that the closure adversely affects local businesses, therefore the demolition of the building will continue overnight in order to enable the road to open again at the earliest opportunity."
Either side of the full road closure, businesses have opened and are trading as normal.