**Major Blaze Engulfs Historic Welsh Hotel as Emergency Services Respond**
A significant fire has erupted at the Grade II-listed Queens Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog, sending plumes of smoke over the town and drawing an extensive emergency response. The incident, which began earlier today, has forced the closure of one of the main thoroughfares in the centre of the Gwynedd community, as firefighters and police cordon off the area for public safety.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and distress as flames were seen spewing from the roof of the well-known hotel. Guests and staff, caught by surprise, rushed to evacuate, abandoning their belongings as the fire spread rapidly through the upper floors. Residents in nearby buildings were observed leaving their homes as a precaution, while bystanders watched emergency crews struggle to quell the blaze.
Responding swiftly, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service deployed several appliances to the scene. Crews have been seen battling the flames from ladders and hosing the building from multiple angles in an attempt to bring the situation under control. The scale of the incident has led to speculation about possible damage to the historic structure, which has stood as a local landmark for generations.
Authorities moved quickly to restrict access to the area, with Traffic Wales issuing a statement: “Warning – police incident. A470 Church Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog is closed in both directions. Please avoid the area.” The closure has led to significant local disruption, with diversions in place and public transport services facing delays. The full stretch of Church Street, from Lord Street to the A496 Benar Road, has been closed off according to updated reports from traffic monitoring service Inrix.
Early images and videos shared across social media have captured the dramatic progression of the fire, showing intense orange flames cutting through the slate roof and thick clouds of grey smoke wafting downwind. Locals have voiced concerns regarding the possible causes, and whether any injuries have been sustained, although there have so far been no formal statements from authorities regarding casualties.
Community spirit has been evident throughout the ordeal, with residents offering shelter to those displaced and businesses providing water to exhausted firefighting crews. Many recall the hotel’s long-standing role in the town’s social life, hosting everything from weddings to local meetings, with its loss felt deeply by many long-time inhabitants.
At the time of reporting, fire crews remain at the scene continuing to dampen down hotspots and assess structural risks. Police are maintaining a presence, urging the public to steer clear of the danger zone, and warning that traffic restrictions are likely to remain for some time while investigations continue.
Questions are now being asked about how the fire began, as well as the future of the hotel building itself. For now, the focus remains firmly on bringing the fire fully under control and ensuring that everyone in the vicinity remains safe. Emergency services are expected to provide further updates as the evening progresses and a clearer assessment of the damage is possible.
The incident has also highlighted the vulnerability of some of Wales’ historic buildings and the crucial importance of ongoing maintenance and fire prevention measures. Residents have expressed their hopes that, despite the devastation, the heritage of Blaenau Ffestiniog will endure and that steps will be taken to support those affected by this distressing event.