A devastated couple have returned from holiday to find their home ravaged by a fire that has caused damage to multiple homes in Cimla, Neath.
Emergency services remain at the scene tonight after a garden fire seemingly got out of control, sending clouds of thick black smoke into the sky, visible for miles around.
Firefighters began tackling the blaze at around 3pm earlier today.
Now the true devastation can be seen.
Holly Thomas, 21, lives nearby but said her parents' home had seen the worst damage. She said roughly three to four homes have been affected.
She said roughly three or four homes had been damaged by the fire.
"I’m gutted," she said. "I had just moved out. My parents had been away to Tenby. They had to come back. It was the first time they had been away for two years just the two of them.
"All of the back of the house is damaged. They have been told they will be out of their house for roughly one year.
"They are very upset."
Resident Carol-Ann lives in the street and rushed to help neighbours. She has since been offering tea, coffee and sandwiches and offered her washing machine to wash residents clothes.
Neighbours say they have been out of their homes since 3pm.
Theresa and Alan Holloway’s garden was badly damaged.
Alan described it as a “bomb site”.
Theresa added: “I had a call from my daughter to say that my garden was on fire. It’s really bad. It’s cremated.
"We have to stay somewhere tonight. We don’t know where. The back windows are smashed, upstairs and downstairs. It’s devastating, we have just done the garden out.”
Follow live updates of the fire here.
