Emergency services are responding to a major fire at a former school building in Merthyr Tydfil, with crews working to bring the blaze under control as thick smoke fills the surrounding area.
Fire engines, police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene after the fire broke out at the disused school, with multiple units deployed to tackle the flames. The scale of the blaze prompted an immediate response from authorities, who moved quickly to warn nearby residents about the dangers posed by the heavy smoke.
Locals living close to the site have been urged to keep their doors and windows shut as a precaution. The smoke drifting from the building has raised concerns for air quality in the surrounding streets, and residents are being advised to stay indoors where possible until the situation is brought under control.
Merthyr Tydfil, a town with a tight-knit community, saw significant disruption as emergency vehicles blocked off roads near the former school. Eyewitnesses described large plumes of dark smoke rising above the rooftops, visible from across the town.
The former school building, no longer in educational use, has been the focus of the firefighting effort, with crews working hard in difficult conditions to stop the fire from spreading further. The cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed, and investigations are expected to follow once the fire has been fully extinguished.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether anyone has been injured as a result of the fire. Emergency services remain on the scene and residents are being kept updated as the situation develops.
Anyone in the nearby area is strongly advised to follow guidance from emergency services, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid the area to allow crews space to work safely.