Blake smoke is billowing from a high street shop in Monmouth - with the town centre engulfed in a major fire.
Eyewitnesses say the fire started at around 9am on Monday with multiple fire engines currently in attendance.
A small section of Monrow Street in the centre of the town is closed.
The closure appears to be in place from Greggs on the high street to Holland and Barrett.
Eyewitnesses say the fire started at around 9am on Monday May 22. Six fire engines are at the scene and at 10am.
Pictures show black smoke rising from the store on Monnow Street while shoppers watch on.
The road is cordoned off from Holland and Barrett to Greggs at Monnow Street.
One onlooker said: "The smoke went really black and then yellow. Now there are flames coming above the buildings."
The emergency services have been approached for comment.
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Onlookers say the flames are beginning to get worse.
Pictures sent to WalesOnline from those at the scene show the high street covered in thick smoke.
A statement from South Wales Fire and Rescue said: "At approximately 9:20am on Monday the 23rd of May 2022, we received reports of a fire on Monnow Street in Monmouth.
"Crews from Monmouth, Aberbargoed and Caerphilly Fire and Rescue Stations are currently in attendance alongside emergency service colleagues.
"This incident is currently ongoing."
One eyewitness says people are now being told to stay away and are being evacuated from surrounding buildings.
They said Peacocks was billowing with smoke at around 9am this morning which continued for well over an hour. They say it has also left a chemical smell in the air.
Resident Richard Harry has shared his account of the incident.
He said: "I live at the top of town and came out to get a paper at 9.30am this morning and smelled this awful smell in the air.
"I came down to check on people and make sure everyone was okay and we got told to stay indoors at all really kicked off.
"It was really, really bad. There is obviously a lot of clothing in there. They are telling people to go home."
