MAJOR BLAZE
Huge fire erupts near national stadium as locals urged to ‘close windows’ and smoke billows across city
People told of waking in the dead of night to the sound of sirens and the smell of smoke
A HUGE fire has erupted near a national stadium as people were urged to close their windows to stay safe from smoke.
Firefighters desperately battled a blaze in Cardiff early this morning as smoke billowed into the air near the Principality Stadium and spread across the city.
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The fire began in a sheltered housing unit opposite the 74,500-seater venue, causing serious damage to the property.
Nobody was hurt in the inferno, which broke out at around midnight.
But large parts of the building - including the roof - were badly damaged.
And Cardiff Bay residents were urged to take immediate precautions for their safety.
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South Wales Fire and Rescue said: "In attendance in Riverside, Cardiff.
"Smoke travelling to Cardiff Bay area. Keep doors and windows closed."
The fire was spotted opposite the city centre stadium in Fitzhamon Embankment and an investigation is set to be launched to discover the cause.
Crews left the scene early this morning but are set to return to the site to check for any flare-ups.
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Holly Chadd, who was staying at the Holiday Inn opposite, said the blaze broke out as she went to bed.
She said: "I was staying at the hotel and as I went to bed, there were lots of red and blue lights opposite.
"I couldn't see the fire so I thought it must be a huge police operation.
"I decided to go out side and walk to the river.
"From there it was easy to see the fire and the amount of work the fire brigade were putting in to tackling the blaze."
One person living in Cardiff Bay, said: "We could smell the smoke from inside at 2am even with the windows shut here.
"You can see the smoke lingering in the sky this morning."
Another living in Cardiff central said: "I can smell a huge amount of smoke.
"The smoke is thick, and it's drifting across Cardiff.
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"It looks like there's a fire somewhere in the city of Cardiff.
"Please close your windows and put on air purifiers, if you have them."
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