RESIDENTS had to be evacuated from their homes after a house roof caught fire and collapsed at a home in Cwmbran yesterday.

Neighbours close to the home on Teynes, in Coed Eva, told how they were evacuated as the fire took hold of the roof at number 22 shortly after 2.30pm.

A total of 23 firefighters were called with crews from Cwmbran, Malpas, Maindee and New Inn tackling the fire alongside a water carrier from Caerphilly.

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze Glyn Jones, 62, who lives next door was evacuated from his home in what he described as dramatic scenes.

He said: “It looks like bomb damage, it’s terrible. I was the one who rang the fire brigade, when my house started filling with smoke.

“They won’t let me or my wife back in, not even for some clothes, I’ve only got the T shirt I’m wearing and it’s pouring down. There was smoke everywhere, you couldn’t breathe.”

Mr Jones said workmen were refelting the roof when the fire broke out.

He added: “Of course I’m worried.

I don’t know if my house is safe yet, or even if we’ll be allowed back in.”

Firefighter Dean Loader, station manager at Malpas station, said: “It’s a fire involving roof space at number 22. “Four appliances, one water pipe and one hydraulic platform all attended.

The occupant of a neighbouring property was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. The fire was pretty bad.”

Another firefighter added: “when we arrived there was smoke everywhere and residents had to close all their windows and doors.”

Workmen contracted by Bron Afon housing association had been working on the roof of the home before it caught fire.

Dave Sharman, Bron Afon’s director of property, said: “One of our contractors was carrying out a repair on the roof of a house in Teynes when the fire started.

“We will be speaking to them and the fire service to find out what happened. As soon as we found out we sent a few members of staff up to the street to offer temporary accommodation to the residents.”