**Fire Investigation Ongoing Following Blaze at Historic Chapel in Port Talbot**
The fire service has released a status update after a major blaze tore through the Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, a Grade II listed landmark on Station Road in Port Talbot, on Thursday evening. Emergency crews from across the region responded in force to combat the flames engulfing the much-admired 19th-century structure.
The incident began at approximately 6:49pm on 24 April, when the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service mobilised six fire engines to the site. Crews from the Port Talbot, Morriston and Neath fire stations, along with support from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, raced to the chapel as flames erupted from the building – described by heritage experts as an important example of sub-classical Victorian architecture.
Photographs from the scene reveal the scale of the damage, with the most significant destruction evident at the roof of the chapel. Billows of dense smoke could be seen pouring out of the building for hours, while onlookers gathered outside the cordoned-off area anxiously observing efforts to control the blaze. Witnesses described hearing occasional popping and banging sounds as fire crews worked into the late evening using six water jets and an aerial ladder appliance to douse the flames.
Authorities have confirmed that, despite the intensity of the incident, there were no reported injuries. The chapel had been disused at the time of the fire and, as such, no evacuation was necessary. Nearby businesses, including a Tesco store, were allowed to continue operating after being assessed and cleared by fire officials.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined,” a spokesperson from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stated on Friday morning. “Crews remained at the scene into the early hours to monitor and extinguish remaining hotspots. The situation is stable, but investigations will continue as we work to establish the circumstances leading up to the incident.”
The Bethany Chapel, constructed in 1880, has long been noted for its sub-classical style and gable-entry design. The building features an elegant round-headed entrance framed with sunburst-patterned glazing and windows adorned with traditional ashlar dressings. A distinctive pediment on the frontage carries a roundel marked ‘BETHANY AD 1879’, a nod to the chapel’s deep roots in the community. Heritage records indicate that the chapel was still active as recently as 2002, although it had since fallen into disuse.
The destruction of such a prominent historical building has triggered concern from local residents and heritage enthusiasts alike. The loss underscores wider anxieties about the preservation of Wales’ architectural heritage, particularly for religious and community buildings that have fallen out of use.
Despite the fire, life in the surrounding area continued largely unaffected. Emergency services ensured a swift response and clear communication with the public, allowing shops and services in the vicinity to remain open, once safety was confirmed. This quick and orderly action helped contain the disruption, given the potential risks posed by a blaze in a densely built urban setting.
As the investigation proceeds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the region’s historic buildings. Many will now await further findings from the fire service concerning the origins of the blaze, and whether any broader safety lessons can be drawn for the custodianship of Wales’ architectural treasures.
The Bethany Chapel stands as an emblem not only of the area’s rich history, but also of the community’s resilience in the face of unexpected adversity. With the fire brought under control and the site now to be examined in further detail, local authorities and heritage organisations are likely to reflect on what can be done to protect such sites in the future.