Grade II-listed Welsh chapel becomes a burning inferno

Flames leapt from the chapel's roof
-Credit: (Image: Lois Ogorman)


Investigators are to assess the aftermath of a nighttime fire that ripped through an historic Grade II-listed chapel in a Welsh village. Pictures from the scene show the building well alight, with flames engulfing the space inside and rising from the chapel’s roof.

Firefighters were called to Capel y Pil in North Cornelly, Bridgend, on Friday night (October 4). Kenfig nature reserve lies nearby and the village is four miles from the seaside resort of Porthcawl.

People were asked to avoid the area and nearby residents were told to keep windows and doors closed. According to one resident, the fire started shortly after 7.30pm on Friday and was extinguished shortly after 9pm, reports WalesOnline.

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South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the blaze on Ffordd yr Eglwys, North Cornelly. The service has not yet confirmed the extent of the fire or the damage caused.

Neither has a cause yet been established by the fire service. It will now be investigating what started the blaze. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

The disused chapel was sold at auction in 2022 for £78,000. It was built almost 150 years ago in 1876 and is thought to be one of the oldest buildings in the area.

Having welcomed generations of Sunday worshippers, the building was awarded Grade II-listed status. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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