The quick response of emergency services to a large fire in the hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog has been praised.

Around 20 homes were evacuated and a number of roads closed on Monday evening and Tuesday as a gorse fire ravaged the hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The A470 and a stretch of road from the roundabout to McColls on Church Street were closed most of Tuesday as firefighters tackled the blaze.

The blaze was first reported at 8.23pm on Monday evening and firefighters from several stations across north Wales battled throughout the night to get the fire under control.

Blaenau Ffestiniog Town Council said in a statement: “A massive thank you to all the emergency services for their hard work battling the massive fire on the mountain behind Church Street overnight and this morning.”

Local county councillor Annwen Daniels said: “We have nothing but praise for the officers from the emergency services following the fire in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

“As usual here in Blaenau, there has also been a close-knit community co-operation. The owners of Caffi De Niro, who were moved from their own home, opened the café and invited everyone there for hot drinks and food in the early hours.

“Later in the morning, we prepared food and drinks and carried them to the emergency service officers to keep them going. The sense of community here in Blaenau Ffestiniog is strong and I hope that others will have seen that during this incident.”

See this week’s Meirionnydd edition for the full story, in shops and online now