People preparing to watch the eclipse were instead witness to a massive fire that destroyed homes and left 20 people evacuated to a leisure centre, a councillor in south Wales has said.

There are no reports of casualties, but six bungalows were evacuated near Hazelwood Road, Newbridge, in Caerphilly county, on Wednesday.

“Everyone was getting ready yesterday to witness the eclipse, and for this to happen last night was a total shock,” said councillor Gary Johnston.

Julia Nichols, 74, was one of the people evacuated from her home and said the fire left her in “absolute fear”.

“We could hear all the banging and the flames going up,” she said.

“The next thing I know the police were knocking on my door and we had to go.

“We were sat in the leisure centre and there were a few people that had actually lost their homes.

“They were being so brave, I mean to lose everything.

“I felt absolute fear, you know, you don’t expect to open your door and see a fire next to you.”

On Thursday morning, a small group of people had been gathered at the police cordon blocking entry to Hazelwood Road.

They were concerned for their neighbours who have had their homes destroyed and there is a smell of burning in the air.

The fire service is still at the scene and moving equipment near the bungalows as the investigation into how this fire took hold begins.

Caerphilly council leader James Pritchard told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast the 20 residents initially taken to a leisure centre had been moved to a hotel early on Thursday morning.

“As a council, we will do everything we can to support the residents at this difficult time,” he said.

The cause of the fire had still to be determined by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, he said.

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said fire services in Wales had been “at full stretch” because of the heatwave and wildfires this summer, affecting “capability”, particularly in the Gwent and south Wales fire service areas.

He described the fire as “very destructive” and said his thoughts were with those who had to leave their homes.

Newbridge RFC said in a post on social media the club was “absolutely heartbroken” by the fire in Pantside.

It offered to supply hot and cold drinks, and provide showers and changing facilities from its clubhouse to “anyone who needs it”.

Club secretary Paul Rogers called the fire “awful”.

“Many of those people have lived there for many many years,” he said.

“It’s their life. It’s gone.”

Rogers said the community had been coming together to help.

“Even this morning I’ve had calls asking me can I bring food. Can I bring clothing? Can I bring blankets? So everyone is trying to help as much as they can.”

“It’s devastating. The council are co-ordinating what’s going to happen next but it’s going to be a long-term thing. It’s not going to happen overnight.

“So we are just sending our best wishes to everybody, and hope that they can re-build what they can and get back on their feet.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call-out on Wednesday at 16:00 BST.

The Welsh Ambulance Service also sent a specialist team and two ambulances.