Woman killed after explosion ripped through industrial estate is named | UK News

A woman who was killed after an explosion ripped through an industrial estate and sparked a huge fire in Wales has been named.

Danielle Evans, 40, died following a blast that rocked Treforest Industrial Estate, near Pontypridd, South Wales, on Wednesday night.

The microbiologist company director was believed to be finishing work at her family-run food testing business when she was caught up in the catastrophic blaze.

She was unaccounted for following the incident but police later said a woman’s body had been recovered from the site in Severn Road.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the inferno which broke out shortly after 7pm on December 13.

Three other people were treated by emergency services and the fire was fully extinguished.

Footage from the scene showed huge flames and smoke swirling into the sky as firefighters worked to bring the situation under control.

South Wales Police had declared a major incident in the immediate aftermath and the front of the building was completely destroyed.

It’s thought that the fire first erupted out of Mindset Gym inside the two-storey Rizla House complex.

A spokesman for the gym said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the lady’s family and community after such a tragic accident.

‘Mindset has a very strong veteran community and one thing we do really well at Mindset is make sure that those who pay the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten and are always remembered.

‘Mindset will do everything to show support to the lady’s family and keep her legacy alive.’

Barber Andrew Cox lost his salon and cutting tools in the explosion but says he has since been ‘overwhelmed by the kindness and support’.

He wrote on Facebook: ‘Firstly myself and my family would like to send condolences to everyone who knew the lady who horrifically lost her life in the explosion.

‘Words cannot describe how sorry we are, and we send our thoughts to her family.’

Flowers have been laid nearby on Friday, while firefighters continued working around the building.

The 60,000 sq ft building has long been a hub for the local community, with everything from towel manufacturers and a telecoms company to a food laboratory packing its 13 commercial units.

Detective chief inspector Paul Raikes said: ‘I would appeal to anyone who has any information and has not yet spoken to police to come forward and I would ask for anyone with any CCTV, Ring doorbell footage or dashcam footage to get in touch.’

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