Blackwood High Street expected to reopen this evening

Blackwood High Street is expected to reopen to traffic this evening after Wednesday’s large fire at the town’s Poundstretcher store.

The street has been closed to traffic while demolition work on the shop is taking place. The 2am fire is thought to have begun in rubbish bins outside the shop and investigations into the exact cause are ongoing.

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.

A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokeswoman said: “Building control officers continue to support the contractor at the site of yesterday’s fire at the Poundstretcher store on Blackwood High Street.

“The blaze was of such an intensity that large sections of the building have been significantly damaged and are now unsafe, the demolition work on some sections of the building will continue today and throughout the weekend. The council’s priority is make the site safe and to get the road open as soon as possible.

“Today, all business in the High Street have reopened apart from Luis Fish Bar and Timpson’s which remain closed due to the fire. The footpath on the High Street opposite the Poundstretcher store has now been re-opened for pedestrians.

“While the High Street currently remains closed to all traffic, it is anticipated that it will re-
open later this evening. The section of the footway immediately outside the shop however will remain closed to allow footway repairs.”