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Newport church fire: Building wreckage still smouldering | Newport church fire: Building wreckage still smouldering |
(35 minutes later) | |
A huge fire that gutted a 130-year-old church is still smouldering, more than 17 hours after the blaze started. | |
The Grade-II listed Bethel Community Church on Stow Hill in Newport has been destroyed after a fire spread from a neighbouring derelict nightclub. | The Grade-II listed Bethel Community Church on Stow Hill in Newport has been destroyed after a fire spread from a neighbouring derelict nightclub. |
At its peak on Friday, 95 firefighters and officers were on the scene, but no-one is understood to have been injured. | At its peak on Friday, 95 firefighters and officers were on the scene, but no-one is understood to have been injured. |
About 40 people were evacuated from the area and those residents are still "displaced" mostly at Newport Centre. | About 40 people were evacuated from the area and those residents are still "displaced" mostly at Newport Centre. |
An investigation into the cause of the blaze cannot begin until it is safe for investigators to go inside the building. | An investigation into the cause of the blaze cannot begin until it is safe for investigators to go inside the building. |
The church's pastor, Andrew Cleverly, said it was "a traumatic scene" when he arrived to see the building on fire. | |
He added: "Our building may be gone, but the church is alive. | |
"The church building is completely razed to the ground, it's just four walls left. It was very sad - a lot of people were upset, holding hands and crying - there was absolutely nothing you could do." | |
The fire service received dozens of 999 calls just after 18:15 BST on Friday and crews from Cardiff helped tackle the blaze as 19 appliances, including 10 fire engines, were used. | The fire service received dozens of 999 calls just after 18:15 BST on Friday and crews from Cardiff helped tackle the blaze as 19 appliances, including 10 fire engines, were used. |
Two crews are still at the scene "dampening down hotspots" in the church. | Two crews are still at the scene "dampening down hotspots" in the church. |
"There is extensive damage to both the church and the nightclub," said David Bents, of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. | |
"We have high walls, debris sitting on high walls and ledges which causes danger to the public - so cordons are still in place." | |
A cordon on Stow Hill and North Street remains around the church and former nightclub and fire crews are expected to remain on the scene for most of Saturday. | A cordon on Stow Hill and North Street remains around the church and former nightclub and fire crews are expected to remain on the scene for most of Saturday. |
Stagecoach Wales tweeted that the road expected to remain closed for much of Saturday and would affect some of its services. | Stagecoach Wales tweeted that the road expected to remain closed for much of Saturday and would affect some of its services. |
The blaze broke out in the former nightclub known as Zanzibar, Heights 2000 and latterly Escapade and spread to the church. | The blaze broke out in the former nightclub known as Zanzibar, Heights 2000 and latterly Escapade and spread to the church. |
Fire officers are now "gearing up" to begin a joint investigation with Gwent Police and Newport council into the cause of the blaze. | |
"The reaction from the public was one of shock and horror," said Mr Bents. "It's so tragic to lose such an iconic building." | "The reaction from the public was one of shock and horror," said Mr Bents. "It's so tragic to lose such an iconic building." |
Welsh Water sent tankers to the scene on Friday to ease the demand on the water supply. | Welsh Water sent tankers to the scene on Friday to ease the demand on the water supply. |
A spokeswoman said: "As the fire is still ongoing, some customers in the Stow Hill area may notice a drop in water pressure or discoloured water. We have sent text messages to those who may be affected." | A spokeswoman said: "As the fire is still ongoing, some customers in the Stow Hill area may notice a drop in water pressure or discoloured water. We have sent text messages to those who may be affected." |