Mill fire closes main road overnight

A derelict former woollen mill in Talybont has been destroyed following a fire on Thursday evening.

Fire crews were called to Talybont at around 7.30pm on bonfire night after a Grade II listed Ceulan Mill building behind Davmor Garage in the village caught fire.

Police closed the A487 running through Talybont overnight, with the main road leading north from Aberystwyth closed until around 6am on Friday.

Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: “At 7:31pm on Thursday, 05th November, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Aberystwyth Fire Station were called to an incident at Birkenhead Street, Talybont.

!Crews responded to a fire in a derelict building, consisting of three floors. Fire was involved on all floors.

“Crews conducted a defensive firefighting operation from outside the building due to the condition of the structure. Firefighters used 2 hose reel jets, 2 main jets and the turntable ladder to extinguish the fire.

“Crews left the scene at 11:27pm. The incident was subsequently handed over to the local authority to secure the site.”

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the fire just after 7pm with some local residents initially concerned it was the local garage and filling station on fire.

Ceulan Mill was recently put up for auction with a guide price of £50,000.

The listing, which was postponed, on Wales Auction House, states: “Ceulan Mill is understood to have ceased operation during the 1960s, with many of the original mill workings remaining in situ, offering an exceptional chance to preserve and repurpose an important part of local industrial heritage.

“The mill is purpose-built of solid stone construction, supporting a pitched roof laid with natural slate, and retains much of its traditional form and presence. Of particular note, the property includes the original mill wheel, together with the associated generator workings.”