Abergavenny fire: Town centre outbreak forces evacuation of homes

Houses have been evacuated and people urged to avoid the area as more than 100 firefighters tackle a large town centre blaze.

Gwent Police and 14 fire crews were called to the scene on Frogmore Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, at about 20:35 GMT on Sunday.

The Magic Cottage charity shop and other nearby buildings have been destroyed and a building remained alight on Monday morning, but no injuries have been reported.

A number of nearby residents were evacuated, with Abergavenny Leisure Centre opened up to accommodate those affected and some still unable to return to their homes.

Firefighters are using four water bowsers, two aerial ladder platforms, and a high volume pump (HVP) to tackle the flames.

A cordon covering Frogmore Street, Regent Street, Princes Street and Baker Street is expected to remain in place for some time.

Police urged residents to ensure all windows and doors were closed due to the smoke.

Local resident Joe Pugh said the “air was thick with smoke” in the town centre on Sunday night.

“From what I could see it was widespread damage,” he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“It was centred around a lovely old row of shops which are well known to residents. The reports were that it was spreading quite rapidly which was alarming, but thankfully no-one [was] hurt.”

Mr Pugh said the affected building was best known for formerly being home to family-run business Richards of Abergavenny.

“Frogmore Street is one of the main arteries through town for pedestrians and that building is one that was occupied for 90, 100 years by a family business… I think the whole town will feel the effects of this for some time.”

Richard John, a Conservative councillor for Mitchel Troy and Trellech ward, described the fire as “horrendous” and “heartbreaking” as he thanked emergency services on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Laura Wright, a Labour councillor for Grofield ward, said the fire was “absolutely devastating”.

She spoke of her gratitude to those “working hard to get everything under control and make sure that residents are safe”.