Overview
- Residents heard an explosion at the nearby Breedon Group Taff’s Well quarry before a ‘wall of water’ rushed down Heol Berry and Heol y Nant, ripping doors from hinges and flooding ground floors.
- Emergency crews from South Wales Fire Service and South Wales Police responded, set road closures and evacuated 13 homes while advising the public to avoid local streams and rivers because of possible discoloration.
- Local people described the blast as like an earthquake and reported widespread mud and thousands of pounds of damage as they began to move possessions or take emergency accommodation.
- Health and safety officers have started a formal investigation into the incident, with the HSE attending the site and the police saying they will not lead a criminal probe.
- Breedon Group says it is working with authorities and the community as investigators examine what happened and officials assess environmental and safety risks for neighbours.