CWMBRAN residents told of ‘bedlam’ after an explosion at a warehouse in Cwmbran.

Firefighters battled a blaze following an explosion at a warehouse in Cwmbran last night.

Tracy McDuff, 31, lives on Moseley Terrace and said: “I came home from shopping and saw all the smoke, it was bedlam.

“The smoke was coming in my back garden and a friend came over to get my kids away.”

Around 40 firefighters were at the fire at the former Complete Homes furniture clearance warehouse – previously known as Autopia – on Avondale Industrial Estate from around 7.10pm.

Police have arrested a 15-year-old local boy on suspicion of arson.

Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion before a thick plume of smoke covered the area and could be seen across the town.

Five fire appliances were at the scene and firefighters could be seen from the police cordon using a hydraulic platform to tackle the fire from above.

Houses surround the area, with smoke covering nearby homes on Moseley Terrace, Brook Street, St Andrews Close and police closed off Avondale Way.

Detective Sergeant Alun Davies said nearby residents had been told to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed as smoke billowed into the streets.

He said last night that there were no hazardous materials believed to be burning in the building, but had issued the advice to neighbours as a precaution.

Terina Harris, 32, from Oakfield was visiting her mother on Moseley Terrace at around 7pm.

“When I came out of her house ten minutes later, I could see thick smoke coming out of the warehouse and I called the police,” she said.

Luke Price, 18, of St Andrews Close added: “I saw the smoke from my window and ran down the road to see what it was. The roof was on fire when I got there.”

People at the scene were giving their own accounts of what they could see via Twitter.

Residents said there have been problems with children hanging around at the empty warehouse recently.

Police are appealing for anyone with information on the fire to contact them on 01633 838111.