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Chapel gutted by fire 'close' to receiving funding to reopen | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The pastor of a Merthyr Tydfil chapel "gutted" by a fire has said it was close to receiving funding to reopen to the community. | |
Pastor Dave Pritchard said he was "sad" to see Capel Aberfan following the fire on Saturday. | |
He said work had been ongoing to secure funding for its regeneration. | |
People living in the street have been allowed back into their homes and an investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing. | |
The internal structure of the chapel, built in 1876, was completely destroyed by the blaze which broke out at 01:50 BST. | |
The chapel was used as a temporary mortuary following the Aberfan disaster in 1966 and housed a memorial organ. | The chapel was used as a temporary mortuary following the Aberfan disaster in 1966 and housed a memorial organ. |
Some neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the blaze, but the building has now been made safe. | Some neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the blaze, but the building has now been made safe. |
An assessment is due to be carried out to determine what demolition work will be needed. | An assessment is due to be carried out to determine what demolition work will be needed. |
South Wales Police are working with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire. | South Wales Police are working with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire. |
Merthyr Vale councillor Darren Roberts said the building had been "totally gutted". | Merthyr Vale councillor Darren Roberts said the building had been "totally gutted". |
Although the chapel closed in 2012, occasional services still took place and renovations were ongoing to try and modernise it and bring it back into community use. | Although the chapel closed in 2012, occasional services still took place and renovations were ongoing to try and modernise it and bring it back into community use. |