Eight arrested in connection with Blackwood Poundstretcher fire

Eight people have been arrested in connection with a huge fire which destroyed Blackwood High Street’s Poundstretcher store.

Fire investigators have confirmed the cause of the blaze was arson.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said: “As a result Gwent Police launched an arson investigation which has so far resulted in five men and three women from the Blackwood area being arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endangering life. They have been bailed pending further inquiries.”

The early morning fire, which took place on Wednesday last week, caused so much damage to the Poundstretcher store that the building had to be torn down.

Blackwood High Street was closed for much of the rest of last week while demolition work took place, although it is now open.

The Timpson shop next door is still being assessed as to whether it needs pulling down also.

The 2am fire is thought to have begun in rubbish bins outside the Poundstretcher store.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said when crews arrived on Wednesday morning, they noted refuse bins outside were alight and that the fire had spread to the store room at the rear of the premises.

At its height, around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze which took six hours to bring under control. No-one was injured.

Firefighters were drafted in from Bargoed and Cefn Forest with re-enforcements coming from Abercarn, Cardiff, Cwmbran and Merthyr. In total, six pumping appliances, four water bowers and two aerial appliances to attend the incident.