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| Blaze wrecks town's historic hall | Blaze wrecks town's historic hall |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Fire has destroyed an historic building which was undergoing a £4m restoration to become an arts centre. | Fire has destroyed an historic building which was undergoing a £4m restoration to become an arts centre. |
| Flames ripped through the 120-year-old Gwyn Hall in Neath, engulfing the four-storey Victorian theatre. | Flames ripped through the 120-year-old Gwyn Hall in Neath, engulfing the four-storey Victorian theatre. |
| Police say they are "keeping an open mind" about the cause of the blaze, which destroyed the hall within hours of starting at 2100 BST on Thursday. | Police say they are "keeping an open mind" about the cause of the blaze, which destroyed the hall within hours of starting at 2100 BST on Thursday. |
| Council leaders are "devastated" and said it was a "bitter blow" with the refurbishment close to completion. | Council leaders are "devastated" and said it was a "bitter blow" with the refurbishment close to completion. |
| Politicians joined local people in voicing dismay at the destruction of the town centre building. | |
| Fire chiefs have been meeting scenes of crime officers to investigate the cause. | Fire chiefs have been meeting scenes of crime officers to investigate the cause. |
| People were evacuated from surrounding properties and a safety cordon was set up between Orchard Street and London Road. | People were evacuated from surrounding properties and a safety cordon was set up between Orchard Street and London Road. |
| The roads were set to remain closed on Friday, causing disruption for town centre shops and businesses. | The roads were set to remain closed on Friday, causing disruption for town centre shops and businesses. |
| People arriving for work and children being taken to school on Friday morning stopped to watch firefighters on long ladders damping down the fire. | People arriving for work and children being taken to school on Friday morning stopped to watch firefighters on long ladders damping down the fire. |
| The Victorian building was gutted by Thursday night's fireEnlarge Image | The Victorian building was gutted by Thursday night's fireEnlarge Image |
| Local councillor David Thomas said: "I'm so sad and upset about the loss of this building. | Local councillor David Thomas said: "I'm so sad and upset about the loss of this building. |
| "It was used by the town for so much - everything revolved around the building. I have seen it this morning and it's a shell. | "It was used by the town for so much - everything revolved around the building. I have seen it this morning and it's a shell. |
| "It's absolutely destroyed." | "It's absolutely destroyed." |
| 'Gaping hole' | 'Gaping hole' |
| Eyewitness Stephen Roberts, 26, who lives nearby, said: "There were flames everywhere and firefighters everywhere trying to get control of the fire. | Eyewitness Stephen Roberts, 26, who lives nearby, said: "There were flames everywhere and firefighters everywhere trying to get control of the fire. |
| "I looked out of my window and saw loads of smoke. The building's destroyed - it's sad because it was a really nice place." | "I looked out of my window and saw loads of smoke. The building's destroyed - it's sad because it was a really nice place." |
| Alan Roberts, 61, said he could see the flames a mile-and-a-half away at his home in Cadoxton, Neath. | Alan Roberts, 61, said he could see the flames a mile-and-a-half away at his home in Cadoxton, Neath. |
| "It was massive, the flames were lighting up the sky," he said. | "It was massive, the flames were lighting up the sky," he said. |
| "We drove through the town this morning and it's very smoky. It's very sad. We used to go there regularly." | "We drove through the town this morning and it's very smoky. It's very sad. We used to go there regularly." |
| His grandchildren used the hall for school concerts. | His grandchildren used the hall for school concerts. |
| "We were only admiring the hall the other day, looking at the new windows they had put in as part of the restoration. It's a big loss for the town." | "We were only admiring the hall the other day, looking at the new windows they had put in as part of the restoration. It's a big loss for the town." |
| Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, the town's MP, spoke of his shock and sadness following the blaze. | |
| The Gwyn Hall Theatre had been at the centre of the community | The Gwyn Hall Theatre had been at the centre of the community |
| "The Gwyn Hall was a fine Victorian building that served the people of Neath for generations, hosting many, many tremendous events and concerts," said the MP. | "The Gwyn Hall was a fine Victorian building that served the people of Neath for generations, hosting many, many tremendous events and concerts," said the MP. |
| "Its loss will leave a gaping hole in the heart of Neath. The fact that the hall was about to undergo a major refurbishment makes this fire doubly shocking and sad." | "Its loss will leave a gaping hole in the heart of Neath. The fact that the hall was about to undergo a major refurbishment makes this fire doubly shocking and sad." |
| Local AM Gwenda Thomas praised the 70 fire-fighters involved in preventing the blaze from spreading. | Local AM Gwenda Thomas praised the 70 fire-fighters involved in preventing the blaze from spreading. |
| She said: "I'm shocked and saddened that such an iconic and much loved building by everyone in Neath has suffered such severe damage." | She said: "I'm shocked and saddened that such an iconic and much loved building by everyone in Neath has suffered such severe damage." |
| Built in 1887, the Gwyn Hall Theatre was a local landmark and had served as a music hall, for council work and latterly as a music venue. | Built in 1887, the Gwyn Hall Theatre was a local landmark and had served as a music hall, for council work and latterly as a music venue. |
| It was due to reopen as a modern arts centre next spring. | It was due to reopen as a modern arts centre next spring. |
| It was set to include cinema facilities, an interactive cafe bar, and state-of-the-art stage and would have provided facilities for concert and weddings. | It was set to include cinema facilities, an interactive cafe bar, and state-of-the-art stage and would have provided facilities for concert and weddings. |
| Before the fire, the council had spoken of how the building would be "returned to its former glory and is once again set to be the hub of cultural activities in Neath." | Before the fire, the council had spoken of how the building would be "returned to its former glory and is once again set to be the hub of cultural activities in Neath." |
| Derek Vaughan, the leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said: "We are absolutely devastated by what has happened to the Gwyn Hall. It is a very sad day for Neath. | Derek Vaughan, the leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said: "We are absolutely devastated by what has happened to the Gwyn Hall. It is a very sad day for Neath. |
| "The Gwyn Hall is an iconic building that was very close to being completely refurbished as part of a £4m regeneration project." | "The Gwyn Hall is an iconic building that was very close to being completely refurbished as part of a £4m regeneration project." |
| He praised the work of the fire service and was grateful there were no injuries. | He praised the work of the fire service and was grateful there were no injuries. |
| "At this time we do not know what caused the fire," said Mr Vaughan. | "At this time we do not know what caused the fire," said Mr Vaughan. |
| "The interior of the building is completely gutted and the roof has collapsed. | "The interior of the building is completely gutted and the roof has collapsed. |
| "The fire is a bitter blow for the regeneration of the Gwyn Hall. We as a council now have to rise to the challenge that faces us." | "The fire is a bitter blow for the regeneration of the Gwyn Hall. We as a council now have to rise to the challenge that faces us." |
| Det Inspr David Rees, of Neath Port Talbot CID, said: "We are keeping an open mind at this stage as it is far too early to speculate over any potential causes. | Det Inspr David Rees, of Neath Port Talbot CID, said: "We are keeping an open mind at this stage as it is far too early to speculate over any potential causes. |
| "I would appeal to anyone who may have seen any activity at the site of the Gwyn Hall prior to the fire to come forward with information." | "I would appeal to anyone who may have seen any activity at the site of the Gwyn Hall prior to the fire to come forward with information." |
| Anyone with information should contact Neath CID on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Anyone with information should contact Neath CID on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
| Below is a section of your comments. Thanks to those who sent contributions and photographs. | Below is a section of your comments. Thanks to those who sent contributions and photographs. |
| To say I am devastated is an understatement. I have spent the past year working on the commitee of the Friends of the Gwyn Hall planning gala concerts, rock gigs and cultural events for the grand opening and working with the arts team to secure high profile artists for the future. The Gwyn Hall has has a major impact on my own musical life and many others in the community. Hopefully we can make sure that plans continue to secure a first class arts venue for the town centre which the borough council, friends commitee and other arts teams have been working so hard to ensure.Luke Lockyer | To say I am devastated is an understatement. I have spent the past year working on the commitee of the Friends of the Gwyn Hall planning gala concerts, rock gigs and cultural events for the grand opening and working with the arts team to secure high profile artists for the future. The Gwyn Hall has has a major impact on my own musical life and many others in the community. Hopefully we can make sure that plans continue to secure a first class arts venue for the town centre which the borough council, friends commitee and other arts teams have been working so hard to ensure.Luke Lockyer |
| as a member of Briton Ferry Musical Theatre it is a very sad day for all of us have performed so many musicals there and was so looking forward to returning there next year, but oh what fond memories we haveglynis thurlow, neath | as a member of Briton Ferry Musical Theatre it is a very sad day for all of us have performed so many musicals there and was so looking forward to returning there next year, but oh what fond memories we haveglynis thurlow, neath |
| I stood and watched the fire last night, both myself and my neighbour were so very shocked at the sheer height and power that the flames took it over. We talked about times that we have been at the Gywn Hall. For me i used it for my children when the Museum was there , the children loved to go there and dress in the roman clothing, do the rubbings, they even enjoyed looking at the paintings that were on show there at times. Football presentations are annually done there for the mini football at neath. The children were very sad when i told them as we were only talking about the history of neath with our oldest son for a project the other day, For the people of neath its a very sad and depressing day.Louise Bevan, neath | I stood and watched the fire last night, both myself and my neighbour were so very shocked at the sheer height and power that the flames took it over. We talked about times that we have been at the Gywn Hall. For me i used it for my children when the Museum was there , the children loved to go there and dress in the roman clothing, do the rubbings, they even enjoyed looking at the paintings that were on show there at times. Football presentations are annually done there for the mini football at neath. The children were very sad when i told them as we were only talking about the history of neath with our oldest son for a project the other day, For the people of neath its a very sad and depressing day.Louise Bevan, neath |
| I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of the devastation at the Gwyn Hall. I have been attending venues there since I was a young child. The Gwyn Hall was, in my opinion, the most impressive-looking building in Neath, and it's loss will have a massive impact on the town centre, both visually and culturally.Barbara Rees, Neath | I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of the devastation at the Gwyn Hall. I have been attending venues there since I was a young child. The Gwyn Hall was, in my opinion, the most impressive-looking building in Neath, and it's loss will have a massive impact on the town centre, both visually and culturally.Barbara Rees, Neath |
| I am devastated. As a member of the backstage crew for all the local societies I have so many memories of the Gwyn. We were so looking forward to going back next year to perform our next production. Absolutely gutted!Elizabeth Jenkins, Neath | I am devastated. As a member of the backstage crew for all the local societies I have so many memories of the Gwyn. We were so looking forward to going back next year to perform our next production. Absolutely gutted!Elizabeth Jenkins, Neath |
| I was so sad to see this on the news today, I have lived away from Neath for a few years but have fond memories of the hall from Ballet classes when i was little, to concerts with my gran and beer festivals with friends. The hall was used for everything and it will be a loss to the town. HJ, hants | I was so sad to see this on the news today, I have lived away from Neath for a few years but have fond memories of the hall from Ballet classes when i was little, to concerts with my gran and beer festivals with friends. The hall was used for everything and it will be a loss to the town. HJ, hants |
| I knew nothing of this apparently fine building, but if it was so dear to people, then it should be rebuilt, just as it was and avoid anyone imposing a new glass and concrete replacement on the site. Look at the example of La Fenice theatre in Venice a few years ago.Chris , Italy | I knew nothing of this apparently fine building, but if it was so dear to people, then it should be rebuilt, just as it was and avoid anyone imposing a new glass and concrete replacement on the site. Look at the example of La Fenice theatre in Venice a few years ago.Chris , Italy |
| I'm gutted. I think it is a fantastic building which I used to love going to as a child at christmas when they did plays there. What I'm most upset about though is the fact my 2 year old son won't get to see the xmas shows through school.Clem, Neath | I'm gutted. I think it is a fantastic building which I used to love going to as a child at christmas when they did plays there. What I'm most upset about though is the fact my 2 year old son won't get to see the xmas shows through school.Clem, Neath |
| the Gwyn Hall is the ctr piece of Neath and everyone knows it. Many bands and shows have played there over many years. Lets hope the re-build it, but I doubt it!!! aled lewis, Neath | the Gwyn Hall is the ctr piece of Neath and everyone knows it. Many bands and shows have played there over many years. Lets hope the re-build it, but I doubt it!!! aled lewis, Neath |
| A great shame for this landmark of a building. It has character and touched the hearts of many who appreciated it. Just like the beauty of the countryside it was well worth admiring. My sympathy goes to all those who are affected by it and the loss to their quality of life, especially those in entertainment. It was the epicentre of the town and I hope something will be done to help restore the services it provided for those affected by its loss.John Richard Jones, Preston, Lancashire, UK | A great shame for this landmark of a building. It has character and touched the hearts of many who appreciated it. Just like the beauty of the countryside it was well worth admiring. My sympathy goes to all those who are affected by it and the loss to their quality of life, especially those in entertainment. It was the epicentre of the town and I hope something will be done to help restore the services it provided for those affected by its loss.John Richard Jones, Preston, Lancashire, UK |
| I grew up in Briton Ferry and saw a few great little gigs in teh Gwyn Hall. Billy Bragg with Kirsty McColl being a highlight. Living away from Neath - I had no idea the place was being revamped. Reading about that makes the fire doubly sad.Trev, London | I grew up in Briton Ferry and saw a few great little gigs in teh Gwyn Hall. Billy Bragg with Kirsty McColl being a highlight. Living away from Neath - I had no idea the place was being revamped. Reading about that makes the fire doubly sad.Trev, London |
| How very sad to hear this new this morning. I have fond memories of school concerts & shows at the Gwyn Hall, and taking my children to see Amateur Dramatics Shows. Hopefully it can and will be restored to its former glory.SW, Neath | How very sad to hear this new this morning. I have fond memories of school concerts & shows at the Gwyn Hall, and taking my children to see Amateur Dramatics Shows. Hopefully it can and will be restored to its former glory.SW, Neath |
| Grew up in Neath and visited many times especially for the Dwr y Felin christmas disco - fond memories. It is a centre piece of the town and hopefully will be rebuiltRich Lewis, Bridgend, Wales | Grew up in Neath and visited many times especially for the Dwr y Felin christmas disco - fond memories. It is a centre piece of the town and hopefully will be rebuiltRich Lewis, Bridgend, Wales |