Visual Print’s MD moves To Solopress
Graham Hunstone, managing director of recently acquired print provider, Visual Print & Design, has been hired as head of partnerships by fellow UK printer, Solopress
Large explosion hits Welsh industrial estate
A ‘fireball’-like explosion took place Thursday night around 7pm in Rizla House, a warehouse that houses 13 commercial units including a gym, a telecoms service, and a towel manufacturer, Bursali Towels, which offers digitally printed promotional towels.
Treforest Industrial Estate and the surrounding area are home to several businesses and local services which have been affected by the road closures and investigations following the explosion.
Initially no serious injuries were reported but one person known to be in the area was unaccounted for. Since initial reports South Wales Police have confirmed a body has been found and investigations are continuing.
Reports from local residents and business owners say that “earthquake-like booms” could be felt in the area, with several cars and businesses becoming damaged.
Near to the area are several car dealerships, supermarkets, NHS offices, and universities, all of which have had to close or rearrange appointments due to road closures.
Reports say that a gym, tattoo shop, barbers, and a tile business located at the scene have been adversely affected.
Posting on Facebook Andrew Cox of Andrew Cox Barbering, says: “The gym is heartbreakingly no longer accessible together with all the businesses inside including Andrew Cox Barbering. Nobody is allowed near the vicinity, so I am completely clueless as to what is still standing, if anything.”
This morning a GoFundMe page has been set up for the businesses affected which at the time of writing has raised over £3,000 of the £10,000 target. Business owners in the local area have also offered their help and services in light of the situation.
Bursali Towels, which offers a range of products for hotels, spas, and promotional events has also been hit by the explosion. The company exhibited at Printwear and Promotion LIVE! in February earlier this year.
Another printing company situated near to the incident is DecTek, which including its Big Bang Print wide-format division is located across two sites in Treforest Industrial Estate.
Situated across the river from where the fire took place, DecTek has not been damaged by the fire but like all local businesses nearby it is experiencing disruptions caused by the aftermath of the incident.
Speaking to Print Monthly, managing director of the company Mike Beese, said the shockwave of the explosion could be felt throughout the estate as it ‘shook all the windows in the two businesses’.
In a statement last night from South Wales Police, deputy chief fire officer Dewi Rose, said: “At 7.05pm this evening SWFRS responded to repeat calls about an explosion at Mindset Gym, Rizla House, Severn Road on Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd.
“SWFRS currently has 16 pumping appliances, a number of special appliances, and officers in attendance. The latest from the scene is that the building, a large multi-use use two storey, commercial premises, is totally alight and at risk of collapse.”
If you’d like to share news or opinions with us feel free to email at news@printmonthly.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.
