Post by bod on Apr 8, 2005 11:18:07 GMT
Taken from the local newpaper (www.thisisgwent.co.uk)
A MAN was arrested on suspicion of arson after an historic Gwent building was badly damaged by fire.
Gwent Police and the South Wales Fire Service launched an investigation into a blaze which caused extensive damage to the Masonic Hall in Monk Street, Monmouth, yesterday morning.
It took six fire-engines and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus half an hour to bring the blaze in the listed building under control. Sergeant Huw Jones, of Monmouth police, said: "We are treating the incident as arson. The fire appears to have started at the front of the building."
Mick Flanagan, head of investigation for South Wales Fire Rescue Service, confirmed arson is suspected.
"We have been working with the police scenes-of- crime unit and their dogs," he said. "We are treating the incident as suspicious. The whole building has suffered smoke damage."
He added that the building would now be boarded up and made safe. Later yesterday a local man was arrested in connection with the fire on suspicion of arson.
The three-storey building, originally built as a theatre in 1797, has been a Masonic Lodge for more than 150 years and is the oldest one of its kind in Monmouthshire.
It is believed that a number of valuable paintings are housed inside. The caretaker of the listed building, Archie McEach-ran, was away on holiday when the blaze broke out at 7.46am. His home of ten years on the ground floor and the Sacred Lodge meeting-hall were both extensively damaged by smoke.
Mr McEachran has been moved to temporary accommodation. He said: "The building will be boarded up for safety precautions as parts of it are unsafe.
"As it is a listed building, this will mean probably mean that it will take a lot longer for it to be renovated.
"But at this stage I've no idea how much it will cost to carry out the repairs to the building."
Police want anyone with any information to call Sgt Jones on 01291 672017.
A MAN was arrested on suspicion of arson after an historic Gwent building was badly damaged by fire.
Gwent Police and the South Wales Fire Service launched an investigation into a blaze which caused extensive damage to the Masonic Hall in Monk Street, Monmouth, yesterday morning.
It took six fire-engines and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus half an hour to bring the blaze in the listed building under control. Sergeant Huw Jones, of Monmouth police, said: "We are treating the incident as arson. The fire appears to have started at the front of the building."
Mick Flanagan, head of investigation for South Wales Fire Rescue Service, confirmed arson is suspected.
"We have been working with the police scenes-of- crime unit and their dogs," he said. "We are treating the incident as suspicious. The whole building has suffered smoke damage."
He added that the building would now be boarded up and made safe. Later yesterday a local man was arrested in connection with the fire on suspicion of arson.
The three-storey building, originally built as a theatre in 1797, has been a Masonic Lodge for more than 150 years and is the oldest one of its kind in Monmouthshire.
It is believed that a number of valuable paintings are housed inside. The caretaker of the listed building, Archie McEach-ran, was away on holiday when the blaze broke out at 7.46am. His home of ten years on the ground floor and the Sacred Lodge meeting-hall were both extensively damaged by smoke.
Mr McEachran has been moved to temporary accommodation. He said: "The building will be boarded up for safety precautions as parts of it are unsafe.
"As it is a listed building, this will mean probably mean that it will take a lot longer for it to be renovated.
"But at this stage I've no idea how much it will cost to carry out the repairs to the building."
Police want anyone with any information to call Sgt Jones on 01291 672017.
