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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 16 hours after the blaze started. 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.
"There is extensive damage to both the church and the nightclub," said David Bents, of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The church's pastor, Andrew Cleverly, said it was "a traumatic scene" when he arrived to see the building on fire.
"We have high walls, debris sitting on high walls and ledges which causes danger to the public - so cordons are still in place." 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.
The church's pastor, Andrew Cleverly, said: "Our building may be gone, but the church is alive." Fire officers are now "gearing up" to begin a joint investigation with Gwent Police and Newport council into the cause of the blaze.
A statement on the church's website said: "Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are saddened by the devastating fire that has occurred."
Mr Cleverly said it was "a traumatic scene" when he arrived to see the building on fire.
He added: "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."
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."