Huge fire destroys property

Four fire crews spent more than eight hours at the scene of a blaze which destroyed a house in a village near Newtown.

Fire investigators were today working to establish what caused yesterday's blaze at Glanllyfnant at Mochdre.

The fire broke out at about 10.40am. Nobody was injured in the blaze, but crews remained at the scene until 7.30pm.

Newtown station manager Steve Rowlands today described the fire which gutted the detached house as "extremely fierce".

He said: "The house was empty at the time and it was a neighbour who saw it first and who called us. We got there just after 11am and it was well alight by then.

"About two thirds of the house was on fire and all we could do was to try to stop it spreading.

"It was extremely fierce and there was not much we could do except try to contain it.

"The house was completely destroyed. The owners turned up later and I think they were stopping with friends last night."

Appliances from Newtown, Llanidloes and Llanfair Caereinion attended the scene along with the water carrier from Builth Wells. Mr Rowlands added: "The fire investigation team are going to the property today to try to find out the cause.

"It could be difficult because the damage caused was so extensive."