One person is feared to have been killed and several stabbed at a Chinese restaurant in a small town in south Wales.

Police, ambulance crews and an air ambulance rushed to what they described as a “serious incident” with “a number of casualties”.

The Sun says a knifeman went on a “rampage” in a Chinese takeaway, stabbing people.

Neighbours were said to have seen “a lot of blood” and one reported that a woman who witnessed the events was heard screaming.

Specialist forensics officers in protective clothing put up a police tent and started to gather evidence in Baglan Street, in Treorchy, in Rhondda Cynon Taf after the violence erupted at midday.

South Wales Police advised people to avoid the area until further notice.

The street was closed off with police tape, and footage showed many police cars parked in the street beyond the cordons.

Journalist Manuel Cavazza said he had been told by a source familiar with the situation that at least one person had died.

A man who lives nearby wrote on Twitter: “There’s currently some sort of major incident happening in Ynyswen, just down the road from my house We got ambulances, cop cars, first responders and an air ambulance so far.”

Another man, who lives in the street, told The Sun: “I was in my workshop when I heard sirens and saw police everywhere.

“There was a Chinese girl sitting on a pavement – she was in her pyjamas and they were covered in blood.

“I could see she was sobbing and in a terrible state.

“I helped the police block off the road, I heard them say that one person was dead and several others badly hurt.”

Neighbour Mavis Wakeford, 79, told the PA news agency: “It’s quiet, nothing like this has ever happened. I’ve lived here all my life and nothing like this has ever happened before.”

She added: “It’s something serious, obviously, it’s got to be, hasn’t it?”

Neighbours said a family feud erupted inside the Blue Sky Chinese restaurant, leaving a series of casualties from suspected knife wounds, The Sun said.

Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda, tweeted that he was aware of “disturbing events” and said his thoughts went out to all those affected.

In a statement, South Wales Police said: “Police units are currently dealing with a serious incident which occurred in Baglan Street, Treorchy, at approximately midday today.

“Ambulance crews are also in attendance as the incident involves a number of casualties.

“The street has been closed off and people are advised to avoid the area until further notice.

“Updates will be released when they are available.”

The force asked people to refrain from speculating, and urged anybody who witnessed the incident to ring 101 immediately, giving reference *077519.

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We attended the scene with one rapid response vehicle, three emergency ambulances, our hazardous area response team and the Wales Air Ambulance.”

Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “I have been informed of the major incident in Ynyswen, and want to thank the emergency services for the significant attendance which is ongoing.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident but please avoid the area until emergency services leave the location.”

The Church in Wales said it was praying for all those affected.