Two killed after garden explosion and house fire

Two people have died after a house fire and an explosion in a garden.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of the blast at about 18:10 GMT in the garden of a property that was left badly damaged by fire on Heol Fawr in Nelson, Caerphilly county.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and their family have been informed, the fire service said.

The Tylers Arms pub, which is next door to the site of the blaze, said on Saturday that it was "unable to open while police carry out their investigation at our neighbours".

"We appreciate this is last minute cancellation for band night and Sunday lunches but we are sure you will understand," it said in a Facebook post.

The road remained closed on Saturday afternoon with a cordon in place as the fire service and forensics officers continued to work at the two-storey property.

Councillor Eifion ap Llwyd Dafydd said he was going home on Friday when he saw smoke "billowing out of the property".

He said he feared something serious had happened given the number of police and fire engines at the scene.

"I was coming home that way just after the fire engine arrived.

"There was a toxic smell from the fire in the air. I couldn't see flames but I did hear other people talking about flames from the other side of the property than where I was."

He said "everybody was very sad" and there was a solemn atmosphere in the community on Saturday.

"Tragic was one word that was said about the whole thing."

The councillor said it was the first time in the 20 years he has lived in Nelson that there had been such a "serious house fire".