Port Talbot fire: Historic building goes up in flames as huge blaze erupts from roof

A major emergency response has been launched after a huge fire took hold at a historic chapel.

Crowds have gathered to watch in the street as firefighters tackle the at the grade II listed Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Port Talbot. Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service has sent six fire engines to the scene. Fire crews attended the scene at 6.51pm to find the 19th century "well alight". Photographs show firefighters aiming a water cannon towards the roof of the chapel, which appears to have been severely damaged. The church was built in 1880, according to the National Monuments Record of Wales.

Nearby shops have been given the 'all clear' to remain open while efforts to extinguish the blaze continue.

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Police have now left the scene, leaving the emergency response to the fire service.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said "good progress is being made" in fighting the blaze.

They told : "It's an old, derelict, disused church which is on fire, on the junction of Forge Road and Station Road.

"It is called Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel.

"We have six appliances there in total, from Port Talbot, Neath and Morriston.

"We had the call at 6.51pm and they are all still there at present.

"We have four normal fire engines, one aerial appliance and one water bowser in attendance.

"We received a lot of calls about the incident. When crews arrived it was well alight.

"Good progress is being made."

No evacuations are in place as a result of the fire.

The spokesperson added that nobody has been injured.

The chapel is described by British Listed Buildings as "a well-preserved chapel of its period".

It was in use as recently as the early 2000s, though it has since fallen into disrepair.

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