Homes evacuated after 'large diesel train' catches fire near Llanelli
Pictures show smoke billowing from the site of the fire, which is said to be burning in three carriages of the train.
Thursday 27 August 2020 07:22, UK
Police evacuated homes in Llangennech, close to Llanelli in Wales, after a large diesel train caught fire.
The incident was reported just before 11.20pm on Wednesday.
Three of the train's carriages were alight, according to the local fire service, and a 800 metre evacuation zone was put in place with roads closed in the local area.
Dyfed-Powys Police contacted residents and asked them to gather at Bryn School and Llangennech Community Centre.
They were allowed to return home, several hours later, early on Thursday morning.
Llangennech County Councillor Gary Jones had earlier said on Facebook that a "major incident" had been declared.
Superintendent Ross Evans said: "This is an ongoing major incident, which no doubt caused a significant amount of disruption for those evacuated in the middle of the night.
"The safety of people in the area was our immediate priority, and an evacuation was put in place to minimise risk.
"On behalf of all the agencies involved, I would like to thank residents for their response; our front line officers who swiftly moved hundreds of residents to the reception centres, as well as our emergency services and local authority colleagues."
He added that a "significant" number of emergency services personnel were at the scene, including British Transport Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Carmarthenshire Council, and Natural Resources Wales "to bring the incident to a safe conclusion".