Video of the blaze from reader Stephen A Batty

 

UPDATE: 1.32pm

Demolition crews moving onto site in preparation for pulling the Poundstretcher and Timpson stores down in Blackwood. Via Twitter @hayleymillsFP

UPDATE: 1.28pm

Demolition of the Poundstretcher store has begun.

UPDATE: 1.22pm

Poundstretcher and next door Timpson store to be demolished. Via Twitter @hayleymillsFP

UPDATE: 1.18pm

Poundstretcher fire: Caerphilly council spokeswoman says it is anticipated part or whole of structure will need to be demolished. Via Twitter @ArgusRMansfield

UPDATE: 1.13pm

Businesses in close proximity to the Poundstretcher store will be closed until tomorrow. This includes Shaws, Boots, Select and Superdrug. Via Twitter @hayleymillsFP

UPDATE: 1.05pm

Fencing currently being assembled around Poundstretcher in Blackwood incase the front of the building has to be demolished. Via Twitter @hayleymillsFP

UPDATE: 11.37am

The seven Poundstretcher employees are waiting behind the cordon for news. They tell me they are "gutted" and fear their jobs have gone. Via Twitter @ArgusCWood

UPDATE: 10.18am

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the blaze at 02.00 this morning. Lyndon Moreton, Area Manger (Head of Operations) said the fircrews from Bargoed and Cefn Forest had worked "extremely hard in arduous conditions" in preventing the fire spreading to neighbouring shops.

He added the fire was brought under control at 07.53am and that fircrews will stay at the scene the day damping down and fully extinguishing the fire.

UPDATE: 10.15am

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said that when they arrived early this morning refuse bins outside the store were on fire and this had spread to the store room at the rear of the premises, with the stock room and 1st floor well alight. They said the cause of the fire in the refuse bins is currently under investigation.

UPDATE: 9.50am

More water being poured on the smoking building. Reports that Timpsons next door has been affected. 11 shops likely to remain cordoned off today. Via Twitter @ArgusCWood

UPDATE: 9.33am

Another shop worker Nigel Mullins said the fire will mean little trade today but could increase it tomorrow as ppl come "nosing" at damage. Via Twitter @ArgusCWood

UPDATE: 9.22am

The first floor looks most badly burnt. A former employee says it is used for storing stock. Two fire engines remain. Building still smoking. Via Twitter @ArgusCWood

UPDATE: 9.15am

A relieved shop manager Stacey Larnder tells me she had about 20 texts about a fire- but arrived to find her premises unaffected. Via Twitter @ArgusCWood

UPDATE: 9.05am

Around 11 shops on High Street have been cordoned off - workers arriving for work, but could well be a day off for them. Via Twitter @ArgusCWood

UPDATE: 8.20am

FIRE crews are still battling a blaze at the Poundstretcher store in High Street, Blackwood.

Around 50 firefighters were at the two-storey store after South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 2am reporting the incident.

The building is still alight but the fire has now been brought under control and the incident has been scaled down.

The two-storey store was empty at the time and no-one was injured in the incident.

Six fire engines were originally at the scene of the fire but this has now been scaled down to four.

People in the area have been advised to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.

High Street remains closed.

The incident is being investigated as the cause of the fire remains unknown.

UPDATE: 7.43am

A LARGE fire has gutted the Poundstretcher store on Blackwood High Street this morning, local people say.

Eyewitnesses say dozens of firefighters are at the scene of the blaze which has closed the High Street, and a large plume of smoke is rising above the town.

Were you at the scene? Contact the South Wales Argus newsdesk on 01633 777226 or at newsdesk@southwalesargus.co.uk

If you have pictures of the blaze, email photographic@gwent-wales.co.uk