UPDATE: 9.53am

GARAGE manager Paul Scull has been able to open one of the two garages at the Motazone branch in Cwmbran.

He has described the garage as 'very badly burnt' and as investigations into the fire continue, it will be business as usual for the garage.

"We’ve been able to take a look inside the building which was burnt in the fire and it looks bad, very badly burnt. At stage, we have no idea at the extent of the damage," he said.

"I don’t have any idea as to how the fire started but the fire service investigators will be looking into that at the moment."

Mr Scull became aware of the fire at the garage on Tuesday evening, and could see smoke billowing from the centre as he approached Ty Coch Way.

"I first heard about the fire yesterday evening. I could see the smoke as I was driving towards the garage and then as I got closer, the roads were closed off as well," he said.

"The fire was in one of our two buildings at the Cwmbran site. The buildings are detached so fortunately the other building has not been affected."

Despite the bad burns to one of the garages, the Cwmbran branch remains open for business and accepting customers.

"As a result, we have been able to open the garage and we have a full set of staff working so we are trying to operate as close to normal as possible. It is a case of business as usual," said Mr Scull.

"The Pontypool branch is also open and taking customers."

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UPDATE: Wednesday 6.30am

One fire engine is still at the scene this morning with firefighters dampening down any hotspots. 

A SWFRS spokeswoman said the fire was out by 11.51pm last night. A fire investigations officer will assess the site later this morning.

Tue, Aug 30, 9.57pm: A SWFRS spokeswoman has confirmed that the fire is still ongoing with a crew at the scene being relieved for a fresh crew.

It was also confirmed that hydraulic cutting equipment was used to access the buildings due to its shutters.

An eyewitness to the fire said that she called the fire service at around 7.44pm after seeing 'slight smoke' coming from the building's roof and the exterior alarms were 'melting off'.

She added that flames 'only came through the roof once' and said that emergency crews had the fire under control when she left the scene.

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FIREFIGHTERS from across Gwent are battling a severe fire at a commercial garage in Cwmbran.

Crews from Cwmbran, Malpas, Maindee, New Inn and Central are currently tackling the blaze on Ty-Coch Way, with a crew from Caerphilly en route.

Emergency services received reports of the fire at 7.40pm.

A SWFRS spokeswoman said that crews had gained access to the building and members are using breathing apparatus along with jets, hosereels and thermal imaging cameras at the scene.