Tylorstown fire: Four youths arrested after workingmen's club blaze

A workingmen's club and institute was first established in Tylorstown in 1882

Four youths have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large fire at a former workingmen's club.

About 40 firefighters tackled the blaze in the derelict club on East Road, Tylorstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Thursday evening.

South Wales Police said the fire resulted in "extensive damage" and was "caused deliberately".

Some people living nearby had to leave their homes and Tylorstown Primary School was closed on Friday.

Insp Mark Saunders said: "The fire has caused extensive damage to an important community asset. We believe it was caused deliberately and have launched an investigation".

A section of the main road from Tylorstown to Ferndale, and Edmondes Street, was closed in both directions as engineers assessed the safety of the building, which was substantially damaged by the fire.

Insp Saunders urged anyone who had been driving through the area between 16:00 GMT and 17:00 on Thursday to check their dashcam footage.

Firefighters remained at the site on Friday after tackling the blaze

The ground, first and second floors of the four-storey building, which dates from 1882, were well alight when crews from across the area arrived at the scene.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said people had to leave nearby properties because of a risk that the building could collapse.

The local authority is offering temporary housing to those affected until the area can be made safe.

Mr Saunders said: "Everything is being done to ensure the area is safe so that roads can be reopened and residents who have been displaced can return to their homes as soon as possible".

An inspection of the damage found the fire appeared to have been set on purpose

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales called the 19th Century building "a particularly important building type in the south Wales coalfield, the Institutes were a focus for enlightenment in new mining communities".