A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a massive fire destroyed homes in south Wales and led to people being evacuated to a leisure centre.

No injuries were reported, Gwent Police said in a statement, but 32 properties were evacuated near Hazelwood Road, Newbridge, in Caerphilly county.

The force said its officers were conducting a joint investigation into the fire, which was reported just after 16:00 BST on Wednesday, alongside South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

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

The woman, from Newbridge, was arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and remains in police custody, Gwent Police said.

“We understand that there are a lot of ongoing wildfires across the country, however I would like to make it clear that we do not consider this fire to be linked to any other wildfires,” Ch Supt John Davies said.

“This fire has caused significant damage to a number of residential properties which will have a devastating impact on those in the local community,” he added.

Nichols said residents could hear banging and flames going up.

“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.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said on Thursday afternoon that firefighting operations had “largely concluded”.

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

He said residents praised the fire service for a “speedy” response.

“That’s all you can hope for in a situation like this.

“They can only get there as quickly as they can and they were lucky to stop if spreading to others.”

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.

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.