A man has died and another has been badly injured after a robbery and hostage-taking at a driving agency in which the building was set alight.
Police are hunting a suspect after one man died, another was badly hurt, and two more are in hospital in a suspected robbery and fire at a driver agency.
Gwent Police were called to Driverline 247, a recruitment agency for commercial drivers, on an industrial estate at New Inn, Pontypool.
Recruitment firm Driverline 247's offices were set alight and hostages were reportedly taken on an industrial estate at New Inn, Pontypool.
They said one man was dead at the scene and another was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with head injuries.
The man with head injuries was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. Two others suffered smoke inhalation.
Two other males had smoke inhalation and were also taken to hospital.
Gwent Police called in dogs and a helicopter in the search.
The ambulance service said it sent five vehicles to the scene, two rapid response vehicles, two ambulances and one senior advanced paramedic in their own car.
Officers are searching the area around South Pontypool Industrial Park and Torfaen Business Centre following the alert at about 1325 BST. I think [people are] very shocked that something like this could happen Alastair Cunnington, local councillor There were initial reports that the death was at a driving school, but that was later corrected to the driver agency.
They are still at the scene. They were called at around 1340 BST.
In a statement, Gwent Police said: "Gwent Police attended the location and found one person fatally injured, one seriously injured and two others with injuries.
A police helicopter was reported over the scene, South Pontypool Industrial Park and Torfaen Business Centre, for a time.
"The three injured have since been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment.
In a statement, Gwent Police said: "At approximately 1.25pm this afternoon, Gwent Police received a report of an incident at an industrial estate at New Road, New Inn, Pontypool.
"Gwent Police are dealing with the situation and enquiries are being made to locate the offender who made off from the scene."
"Gwent Police attended the location and found one person fatally injured, one seriously injured and two others with injuries.
A hospital spokesman said all three injured men were in a stable condition in its A&E department.
"The three injured have since been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment."
New Inn is a village on the outskirts of Pontypool and about eight miles from Newport.
New Inn is a village on the outskirts of Pontypool and about eight miles from Newport.
Ben Cunnington, 20, who works at a nearby media company, said: "We heard a helicopter going overhead and we came outside and it was mayhem with emergency services everywhere."
His father Alastair Cunnington, 51, who is also a Torfaen councillor, said: "I think [people are] very shocked that something like this could happen in the community of Torfaen, particularly the small village of New Inn."
New Panteg Rugby Football Club is also on the New Road estate, and its chairman, Maurice Morgan, said there had been a lot of police activity in the area.
"We're in close proximity and there's been police cars, police with dogs and we've had the police helicopter overhead," he said.
"They've been searching the area and some have been cordoned off."
Driverline's website says the company began trading in November 2000, "and unlike other agencies, we do not close, and therefore can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year".
Driverline's website says the company began trading in November 2000, "and unlike other agencies, we do not close, and therefore can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year".
The website says it supplies "all types of drivers" and clients include companies "ranging from home delivery, waste recycling, dairies, bakeries, frozen food distribution, parts for motor car manufacture and building materials".
The website says it supplies "all types of drivers" and clients include companies "ranging from home delivery, waste recycling, dairies, bakeries, frozen food distribution, parts for motor car manufacture and building materials".
It adds: "Driverline 247 will not compromise on quality, this ensures total peace and mind for our clients, as their reputation is largely dependent on the people working for them, so taking chances cannot be an option, so therefore all our temps are fully vetted to ensure they meet our exacting standards.
It adds: "Driverline 247 will not compromise on quality, this ensures total peace and mind for our clients, as their reputation is largely dependent on the people working for them, so taking chances cannot be an option, so therefore all our temps are fully vetted to ensure they meet our exacting standards.
"Due to such rigorous checks, approximately 60% of people interviewed fail to meet the expected standards."
"Due to such rigorous checks, approximately 60% of people interviewed fail to meet the expected standards."
Are you a witness to this incident? Do you have images you can send to us? Are you in the area and have you witnessed any activity?
Are you a witness to this incident? Do you have images you can send to us? Are you in the area and have you witnessed any activity?
