Residents of Gwaelod-y-Garth, a village on the outskirts of Cardiff, were forced to evacuate their homes on Thursday after an explosion at the nearby Breedon Group quarry unleashed a wall of water approximately five feet high. The blast, described by some as feeling like a 'mini-earthquake,' caused mud, rocks, and water to surge down the hillside and into the village.
Thirteen homes were evacuated by the fire service, and fifteen properties were flooded, leaving residents in shock. The incident saw water inundate the ground floors of some homes, with the back door of at least one residence being ripped off its hinges. Roads in the area remained closed on Friday as cleanup efforts began, with layers of mud coating homes and debris blocking access.
Steve Mordecai, a resident who was forced to evacuate, described the moment of the blast. "I heard the bang and the house shook, so I went out into the garden to make sure that everything was okay," he said. "As I walked towards the field - towards my gate - I looked up and I saw this wall of water - brown, dirty water - with wood in it and leaves and everything."
He recounted being pushed backward by the force of the water, which he described as being about three feet high within a minute and carrying debris. "I could feel the pebbles and the stones and the leaves and sticks going past me," Mordecai stated.
An investigation into the incident has been launched. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it was made aware of the event on Thursday evening and has begun its investigation, working in conjunction with South Wales Police. South Wales Police indicated that no criminal investigation is being conducted by them, with the HSE taking the lead.
Local water company Dwr Cymru confirmed the flooding was not related to its pipe network. Residents have expressed devastation over the damage, with some calling for the quarry to cease operations. Mandy Symonds, a long-time resident, stated the impact was "absolutely devastating" and questioned why the incident was allowed to happen.
Cardiff council reported that its highways and cleaning teams were working to clear roads and remove debris. However, significant damage to the highway has been reported, with ongoing safety concerns about the road and surrounding embankments. The council has advised the public to avoid entering the river and to keep dogs out of the water due to the risk of potential pollution pending the completion of the investigation.