A woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson after five homes were destroyed by a fire in Newbridge on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze led to 32 properties being evacuated, but no injuries were reported.
Arrest and Investigation
On Thursday afternoon, Gwent Police confirmed that a 29-year-old woman from Newbridge has been arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and remains in police custody. They confirmed that the blaze was not linked to any wildfires.
Emergency services were called to the incident on Hazelwood Road, Pantside, at around 4.05pm on Wednesday, August 12, and have remained at the scene on Thursday, with residents staying at a nearby Premier Inn.
Community Impact
Gwent Police said they were conducting a joint investigation into the fire alongside fire investigation officers from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Chief Superintendent John Davies said: "We understand that there are a lot of ongoing wildfires across the country, however I would like to make it clear that we do not consider this fire to be linked to any other wildfires. This fire has caused significant damage to a number of residential properties which will have a devastating impact on those in the local community."
Anyone with any information about the fire is urged to contact the police force on their website, on social media, or by calling 101. The reference number for the incident is 2600263302.
Residents' Accounts
Rachel and Matthew Baskerville, who live on Old Pant Road, were enjoying a day off work on a beach in Devon hoping to watch the solar eclipse when their daughter called them to say the field behind their home was on fire. They rushed home from Devon as quickly as possible. Rachel credits boys who smacked the fire with planks of woods from stopping it spreading to their home, as well as neighbours wetting all the gardens with hosepipes.
Pamela Hughes, who has lived in Pantside for 47 years, said she has been shaken by Wednesday's horrific fire. She said she was home when she started to smell smoke at around 3.40pm so went outside to take her washing in off the line. Ms Hughes was met with flames billowing from the field right behind her garden when she opened her back door. She lives on Old Pant Road, the street in front of Hazelwood Road. "It was awful," she said. "The field was in flames. I have goosebumps thinking about it."
