Over £9,500 raised for Brecon mountain rescuers after fire

The team's three vehicles were damaged in the fire

An online fundraiser set up to replace equipment at a fire-damaged mountain rescue base has collected over £9,500 in just 24 hours.

A blaze broke out at Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team's base in Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil, on Saturday night.

The main rescue vehicle was completely destroyed, with damage also caused to two 4x4s.

So far over 400 people have donated to the charity's JustGiving page, which has a £250,000 fundraising target.

Fire crews at the scene of the blaze

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Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team covers the Brecon Beacons National Park and the surrounding areas in mid and south Wales.

Its volunteers have responded to 130 call outs so far this year, including injured walkers, climbers and missing persons.

The charity said: "The devastating fire comes at a critical time of year, with the run up to Christmas always a busy period.

"In the short-term, we will continue with this lifesaving community service, relying on our own cars and equipment, with the support of South Wales Police and our mountain rescue colleagues."

It added it could be 12 months before it can replace all the equipment.

Mid and West Fire Service said the cause of the blaze was thought to be accidental.