Shocking aerial photographs have captured the heartbreaking scale of a huge grass fire that burned for several hours on a Welsh mountainside. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent three crews to tackle the blaze near Pant Y Wal Windfarm in Bridgend.
At around 2.48pm on Friday, March 25, firefighters responded to reports of a large grassfire on the mountainside. Upon arrival, the crews were faced with a fire spreading quickly to affect 85 hectares of grassland.
The fire was just yards away from the huge wind turbines on the mountain. The Pant y Wal wind farm is located four kilometres to the north of the village of Glynogwr in Bridgend County Borough. The wind farm comprises turbines, which are 115m in height, and produces enough energy required to supply 18,000 homes.
Over the course of the three hours that emergency services battled the fire, crews from Bridgend, Pontycymmer and Pencoed were deployed to the scene. A stop message was received at approximately 5.44pm.
The fire service has now released shocking photographs of the blaze. Some photos show huge areas of land scorched and blackened, while others showed the blaze fully alight.
A spokesperson from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "At approximately 2.48pm on Friday March 25 2022, we received reports of a grass fire. Firefighters from Bridgend, Pontycymmer and Pencoed attended and tackled the fire using beaters and hose reel jets. The fire was approximately 85 hectares. A stop message was received at approximately 5.44pm. If you see a grassfire, please contact 999."
The mountain fire happened just days after another was seen burning for several hours near homes in Abertridwr. Local residents were advised to close their windows while firefighters tackled the blaze. It is not yet known what caused the fire on the mountain. Local residents described their fear that the blaze would harm wildlife and reach their homes. You can get more news from Bridgend to your inbox by subscribing to our dedicated newsletter here.
