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Scenes of devastation follow major fire in Abergavenny

11 Nov 2024 6 minute read
The iconic building on Abergavenny’s Frogmore Street in the early hours of Monday morning. Image: Mario Chip, Facebook

Stephen Price

A community is in shock as the full scale of a major fire which ripped through an iconic town centre building in Abergavenny emerges today.

The fire began on the evening of 10 November behind Magic Cottage, a large charity shop on Frogmore Street occupying a building which was once the home of the town’s iconic department store, Richards.

At around 11pm, residents at a nearby sheltered accommodation, Radstock Court, were being evacuated, with large crowds forming nearby.

Gwent Police and 14 fire crews were called to the scene.

One elderly resident at Radstock Court spoke to Nation.Cymru and was shocked at the response – with fire engines reportedly arriving at 20.35.

Shock

He said: “The fire started hours ago and the town was covered in smoke but no one told us to leave until 11pm. What have they been doing for the last two hours?”

Many residents were unable to get out of the building unaided, with some joining the crowds in nightgowns or receiving help from other residents or relatives.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Magic Cottage. Image: Mario Chip

Chris Griffiths wrote on Facebook: “Just watching as part of Abergavenny burns tonight! I can’t believe my eyes! I hope everyone is safe.”

Another wrote: “The whole of Magic Cottage is gone.”

The fire spread to adjacent buildings, with worried residents and shop owners dismayed at the slow response from emergency services.

No alarms

A relative of an elderly person living at Radstock Court shared: “I got here at 9pm after seeing smoke billowing over the town. I sat with my dad and we watched TV as normal.

“It wasn’t until gone eleven that we looked out of the window and police shouted up and told us to get out.

“I personally had to knock doors on the top floor. One man was in bed. The response has been appalling. They should have sounded alarms hours ago.”

Charlotte Williams who lives in nearby Brynmawr rushed to the scene to assist a relative in Radstock Court. She told us: “This is a really sad day for Abergavenny. It really is such a special row of buildings.

“People were sharing photos of smoke all night, but no one expected it to get to this.

“My grandad is lucky, he can come home with me, but I’m worried about the other residents. It’s really cold now and a lot of them are vulnerable.”

The fire also edged closer to the town’s Cable News store, which is described as ‘a local institution’  and is said to have destroyed their roof – while nearby Book-ish described the fire as a ‘terrible night for Abergavenny’.

A photo taken outside Cable News, adjacent to the iconic building occupied by the Magic Cottage. Image: Mario Chip

A post on a local Facebook community group said: “Most of you are probably aware of the fire in what was known as Richard’s. This has had an impact on Cable News’ business which means that papers will not be delivered today.

“Cabe and his team will be up and running as soon as possible but for now please bare with him and we will update you as soon as possible.”
The scenes early on Monday morning. Image: Mario Chip

Andrew Boone lives in a flat opposite Cable News on Frogmore Street and told us he had been instructed to evacuate, with the response running into Monday morning.

Sally Jones wrote on Facebook: “So very sad , so much devastation, thank god no one was hurt , a massive well done to our fire crew who fought this all night and continue to do so today ! Our town appreciates you all, not forgetting our police force also!”

Baker Street and Frogmore Street are both currently closed to the public.

Police are urging crowds to stay away but these calls had been ignored by many, with cars lining the roads to join crowds opposite the town’s War Memorial near the town’s Tesco Metro store.

Police statement

A press release from Gwent Police shared that emergency services are currently were in attendance tackling the fire on Frogmore Street, Abergavenny.

Firefighters try to protect nearby buildings. Image: Mario Chip

In the latest update, a spokesperson shared: “Emergency services remain at the scene of a fire that happened in Abergavenny on Sunday 10th November.

“The fire, at the back of The Magic Cottage Charity Shop on Frogmore Street, was reported to police at around 8.35pm.

“No injuries have been reported at this time but due to safety concerns, and the risk of potential further collapse of the building, cordons are still in place.

“Partners continue to work together in an effort to minimise the impact whilst ensuring public safety, which remains our priority.

“Experts are carrying out a review of the structure of the building and cordons will be reviewed throughout the day to try and open any streets where possible, as soon as it is safe to do so.

“We understand the closures are having a significant impact on local businesses and we thank them, and residents, for their co-operation at this difficult time.

“At the moment the following roads remain closed:

  • Frogmore Street
  • Baker Street
  • Princes Street

“The fire service is currently investigating the cause of the fire, and our officers are working with them.

“Anyone with any information about the fire is asked to call 101, or direct message us social media, quoting 2400375539.”

Detailed history on the Frogmore Street building, which was once the site of The Fountain Inn, can be found here.


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Welsh Patriot
Welsh Patriot
1 month ago

Shocking, I am glad no one injured or worse in this fire, sad to see the damage to the high street. As an aside…… Two colleagues where I work have now had Lithium Battery fires in their homes, this in a very small number of people. Both fires resulted in their houses having serious damage and they having to move out for months. The fires were caused by cheap Chinese charging circuits/batteries bought from online retailers, that after investigation were not fully UK compliant. Both were power banks, with limited or no over temperature circuit protection. This fire may or… Read more »

Jamie
Jamie
1 month ago

Scary. Abergavenny is a wonderful town – what every Welsh town centre should model itself on in my view. Good that no one killed or seriously hurt.

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