PICTURES: Massive blaze guts Blooms garden centre between Newport and Cardiff

South Wales Fire and Rescue have said the blaze was accidental.

UPDATE 2.03PM:

More pictures of the aftermath of the blaze at Blooms garden centre in St Mellons:

UPDATE 13.52:

A spokeswoman for Bloom's Cardiff said: " No members of staff or our customers were onsite at the time the fire started and the garden centre will remain closed for the foreseeable future. At this stage we do not know what caused the fire.

"We are asking our customers to check online for further updates and any customers who have events booked in the run up to Christmas will be contacted by our customer service team."

UPDATE 12.11PM:

A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire was still unknown and an investigation will be launched at "a later date”.

They confirmed eight fire engines, four water bowsers, one aerial platform and five Tactical Officers attended the St Mellons fire following the call at 10.21pm.

Group Manager, Brian Thompson paid tribute to firefighters saying they faced "challenging situations dealing with a large fire, including small explosions on the site involving cylinders.

“Crews did a tremendous job preventing the fire spreading to nearby houses and businesses and remained on site for the rest of the night”.

UPDATE 11.39AM:

The fire service managed to save one half of centre. Mill and aquarium are also secure. Argus reporter Laura Lea on Twitter ‏@ArgusLLea

UPDATE 11.25AM:

Fire officers survey the damage. Still some smoking but most fires are out.
Argus reporter Laura Lea on Twitter ‏@ArgusLLea

UPDATE 11.18AM:

Reader Linda Draper sent this pic of the Blooms blaze via the Argus Facebook page:

UPDATE 10.55AM:

Aftermath of blaze at Bloom's Garden centre. Argus reporter, Laura Lea says the centre "is totally gutted, only the shell remains".

UPDATE 10.08AM:

PamPurred Pets have confirmed that all animals are well and have been checked and fed this morning.

Jennie Griffiths of South Wales Fire and Rescue service said an appliance remained in attendance at the fire site this morning and the cause of the fire is being jointly investigated by the fire service and police.

UPDATE 9.00AM:

 Jennie Griffiths, of South Wales Fire and Rescue service, said: "The fire was contained to the Nursery and did not spread to other buildings, crews asked for keys to check buildings."

 A LARGE fire almost destroyed a garden centre between Cardiff and Newport last night.

The blaze engulfed Blooms Garden Centre in St Mellons on Wednesday at around 10pm.

Homes near the site had to be evacuated.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze for five hours.