A BUILTH Wells property is continuing to be assessed by investigators after the outbreak of a fire at the premises last weekend.

Police and fire investigators continue to work at the address in Lion Lane, next to the town’s Lion Hotel, where a fire broke out following an explosion at around midnight on Sunday, October 3.

An initial assessment of the property suggests the building is currently “structurally unsafe” and further work looks likely to be required before it can be made safe.

The fire, which started in one house, quickly spread and caused damage to a neighbouring home too.

Builth’s main town centre street was awash with various emergency service vehicles attending the scene, with a thick black smoke engulfing the night sky as revellers poured out of the town’s pubs.

A neighbour who raised the alarm told the County Times: “I woke up to a noise around midnight and looked out the window and saw the downstairs ablaze and immediately called 999.”

A 66-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson. A Dyfed Powys Police spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing, however, we are not looking for anyone else at this stage.”

One witness described seeing flames above the rooftops of the shops on the high street.

Enquiries are continuing into the fire which occurred at the property in the early hours of Sunday.

Dyfed Powys Police say an initial assessment of the property has been carried out which suggests that the building is currently structurally unsafe and work may be needed to make it safe to enter while preserving evidence at the scene.

Police and fire officers will then carry out a joint investigation to establish the cause of the fire.

Officers and PCSOs will continue with scene preservation duties and cordons will remain in place for several days while enquiries are ongoing. A constant police presence has been maintained at the address since Sunday.

Every effort will be made to minimise any disruption. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area while work is undertaken at the property.

Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed Powys Police, either online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, emailing 101@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Quote reference: DP-20211003-003.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.