Police hunt for firebugs (From Free Press Series)

Police hunt for firebugs

FIRE crews were called out to three suspected arson attacks in the Pontypool area on Saturday night.

The biggest was the blaze which gutted an empty shop on Osborne Road.

Later that night they were called out to Trevethin where the headquarters of the Penygarn and Trevethin Pigeon Club was burned to the ground.

In the early hours of Sunday, they extinguished a car fire at the Tranch. A Vauxhall Corsa was destroyed. Earlier, a Peugeot 405 was burned out at Curwood, Blaenavon.

The Osborne Road fire was at the building leased by Wetherspoons for their long-delayed pub, from Pontypool Park Estates.

It is believed the fire was started deliberately by children at the back of the building.

Wetherspoons investigators were at the building yesterday morning.

Development manager Chris Seriday said the company was still fully committed to opening a pub on the site, which they lease from Pontypool Park Estates.

"We will be repairing the building. We will erect scaffolding to carry out a full structural survey and do everything we can to make it safe."

The future of four businesses in neighbouring buildings has been put in doubt by the fire. They suffered damage and have been closed while assessors closed off Osborne Road and examined the building to find out if it can be made safe.

The four businesses affected are the Goodlife caf, Phoenix Partitioning - which is now open, JM Hairdressers and a beauticians which was about to open.

Simon Woods, of Phoenix Partitioning, said his business premises and the Goodlife caf, operated by his partner, had suffered smoke and water damage. They lease the building from Pontypool Park Estates.

"The caf suffered when Tesco opened. We were just building business up again. Now this could put the final nail in the coffin," he said.

It was hairdresser James Matthews who called firefighters when a passer-by told him there was smoke coming from the building.

"We want to reopen as soon as the council tells us it's safe." Customers can call 07837 962246 to find out the latest or the Goodlife on 01495 769397.

At its height, 44 firefighters were battling the fire. They stayed overnight to ensure it didn't restart and were called back the following day to dampen down hot spots which threatened to re-ignite.

Assistant Divisional Officer Paul Mason said the fire could have spread along the street.

"The partition walls in the attic helped stop the spread," he said.

He added it was probably started deliberately and that it was believed children playing at the back of the building could be responsible.

The headquarters of the Trevethin and Penygarn Pigeon Club burned down in what is also feared to be an arson attack.

Club vice-chairman Lyndon Jennings said: "We're all devastated. We've lost all our equipment. A petrol can was found at the scene so we definitely think it was started deliberately.

"The worst thing is we had just been improving the building. Now there's nothing left."

Club members are due to meet today to discuss its future. "We have to keep it going," said Mr Jennings.