Two Die in Nelson House Fire After Garden Explosion

Two people died in a house fire sparked by an explosion in the garden of a residential property in Nelson, south Wales, emergency services reported Friday evening.

Gwent Police and firefighters from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service responded to the two-storey home on Heol Fawr, near Treharris and Caerphilly, after receiving reports of the blast around 6:10 p.m. Officers and crews arrived promptly to tackle the ensuing blaze, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that the families of the deceased have been notified.

The incident began with an explosion in the rear garden, according to authorities, which quickly spread to the house. Neighbors described seeing flames engulf the property, prompting an extensive emergency response that included multiple fire engines and police units. The road remained closed into Saturday morning, with diversions in place to manage traffic and ensure public safety. Local residents were advised to keep all doors and windows closed during the initial response to minimize potential hazards from smoke or other risks.

In a statement issued Friday evening, Gwent Police said: "Officers and firefighters from South Wales...