Vehicle engulfed in flames at Talbot Green shopping centre

A van parked at a busy shopping centre has burst into flames just yards away from a number of shops.

Emergency services are at the scene of the vehicle fire at Talbot Green Shopping Park in Llantrisant, around 10 miles west of Cardiff. 

The blaze broke out shortly before 4.20pm on Tuesday afternoon, with witnesses reacting in shock at how quickly flames engulfed the vehicle.

Shoppers said they could hear loud bangs as the vehicle went up in flames, with one person saying that she could see the tyres exploding.

An image captured at the scene shows the scale of the vehicle fire (Tom Champ)

Smoke from the vehicle billows into the air (Tom Jenkins)

The vehicle - a black van - can be seen to be well alight as it was parked near a number of stores. 

Officers from South Wales Police are in attendance at the scene along with fire crews from Pontypridd and Gilfach Goch.

It is unclear if anyone was injured as a result of the fire.