Firecrews tackle blaze at Crumlin crisp factory (From Campaign Series)

6:03pm

2:24pm

DEVASTATION: The still smouldering Crumlin crisp factory this afternoon. PICS: Mike Lewis

2:22pm

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2:22pm

1:21pm

One fire engine has now left the scene with at least seven still in attendance.

1:11pm

Persistent rain has started in Crumlin in the last hour which should help damp down the blaze.

1:11pm

Residents on Melin Place near the factory reported hearing loud 'pops' in the early hours, while those living on Pen-y-Groes say they didn't hear anything in the night but saw smoke this morning.

12:18pm

It is understood that the Crumlin workers may be asked to travel to other sites to oversee production there.

12:17pm

A spokesperson for Tayto Group said the Crumlin plant was the only one which produces Real Crisps but hand-fried crisps of this kind can be made elsewhere. It has similar plants in Scunthorpe, Corby and Northern Ireland.

12:12pm

Mark Lewis, who has lived on the nearby Parc Bevin cul-de-sac for seven years, said the whole neighbourhood emerged from their houses at around 4am after they heard four or five loud explosions.
Mr Lewis said: "There was a sort of fire meeting when neighbours came outside and a lot of people did go over to the side of the road by the factory to look. Some people knew workers at the factory but weren't sure if they were on day or night shift.
"We could see the flames from our bedroom window but an explosion is something you never hear. My first thought was that someone was trying to break into the garage. It was only once I opened the window and saw the flames that I realised something had exploded."

12:12pm

Paul Allen, CEO of Tayto Group who own the Real Crisps factory in Crumlin said the company was "deeply relieved" that their emergency procedures worked well and that all their nightshift staff were safe.  He added: "Our focus now is on what we can do for those staff, who are naturally concerned for their jobs.  We also need to ensure minimal disruption to our customers and we are working hard to bring that about."

11:51am

DAMPING DOWN: Firecrews contain the fire at the Real Crisps plant at Pen-y-fan Industrial Estate in Crumlin

11:46am

A spokeswoman for Environment Agency Wales said they and the Fire Service had set up a series of barriers around the area to contain the water and prevented a potential risk to the environment.

She said they believe that local rivers and streams have not been affected but it remains onsite to help with the disposal of the contaminated water and continues to monitor the situation.

11:33am

Thick steel girders which support the structure of the factory have given way and twisted under the intensity of the fire. Three flat bed lorries parked next to the building in a large yard at the back have been gutted by fire, but officers managed to contain the blaze inside the factory, preventing it from spreading to nearby units.

Argus reporter Emma Mackintosh

11:28am

Ambulance staff here are saying the fire is almost out. However fire fighters are expected to be in attendance for the rest of the day. 

11:19am

DAMPING DOWN: Firecrews contain the fire at the Real Crisps plant at Pen-y-fan Industrial Estate in Crumlin

11:11am

GUTTED: Firecrews at the scene of today's fire at the Crumlin crisp factory. PICS: Emma Mackintosh

11:09am

11:04am

BILLOWING: The blaze at the Crumlin crisp factory this morning. PIC: Mike Lewis

10:58am

A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue said there is not a large residential area there are houses in nearby Trinant, Oakdale and Crumlin.
 

He said he anticipates crews will be tackling the ongoing blaze for the rest of the day.
 

The building, which contained cooking oil and machinery, has already partially collapsed and the Fire Service is carrying out a continual assessment on its structural safety before entering.

10:52am

Around 60 fire officers drawn from crews across South Wales including Cwmbran, Caerphilly and Pontypridd have fought the blaze today.
At least eight large fire appliances are still on site as well as police and ambulance vehicles.
A fire hose is trained on a west-facing upper-story window of the factory.

10:51am

10:28am

Thick smoke is blowing west from the fire which is just off Willow Road - Argus reporter Emma Mackintosh

10:13am

Reader Alan Archer sent in these pictures of the blaze at the Crumlin crisp factory

10:13am

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9:57am

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said its main concern was ensuring fire water run off did not make it into nearby rivers.
He said such water could contain toxins and officers would be working with firefighters to put bungs in place to prevent water leaving the site.

9:57am

It is believed at least 132 people work at the site, some of which were evacuated earlier today whist covering the night shift.

9:26am

Fire and Rescue Service  Lyndon Moreton, Area operations manager for the South Wales, said the blaze spread to over 75 per cent of the 150 metres by 50 metres premises.

9:14am

This picture came in from reader Alan Archer. He said: "At about 3.45 this morning we were awoken by a series of extremely loud explosions which were caused by this fire at Real Crisps."

9:02am

8:54am

CRUMLIN CRISP BLAZE: Reader Steve Thorpe sent in this pic of the fire

8:47am

8:44am

8:43am

Lyndon Moreton, the area operations manager for the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said:

"On arrival, our crews encountered a very well developed fire, involving about 75% of the building.

"There was a developed fire due to the contents of the building - fats and oils used in manufacturing process."

7:55am

Nightshift workers have been evacuated from the plant on Penyfan Industrial Estate.

7:46am

FIRECREWS are tackling a blaze at a crisp factory in Crumlin this morning.

More than 50 firefighters and eight engines have been at the scene since they arrived at 3.00am.

Residents living nearby have been advised to keep doors and windows closed.