Cardiff man found dead in the wreckage of historic church

Cardiff man found dead in the wreckage of historic church

A man has died after a historic Victorian church collapsed in Cardiff this afternoon.

South Wales Fire and Rescue has confirmed the fatality after an operation to save the victim, who had been trapped in the wreckage.

The nearby high speed train line between London and Cardiff was shut as specialist search and rescue teams were on the scene.

The disused former baptist church was surrounded by scaffolding and being taken down by workmen before the structure collapsed.

The disused former baptist church was surrounded by scaffolding and being taken down by workmen before the structure collapsed

The building - Splott Road Baptist Church - was built in 1893 but has been not used for services for over 30 years

Train services between London and Cardiff were delayed or cancelled because of the collapse, as the church is close to the rail line

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said firefighter were at the church and a rescue involving hazardous response teams was taking place

Two people escaped with minor injuries, while a third died, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.

Area manager Gareth Davies said: 'A gentleman was sadly found trapped within the collapsed structure and has tragically lost their life.'

He added: 'As a service, we wish to extend our sympathies to the individual's family at this very sad time.' 

Last year Cardiff Council officials reported that the building was a 'dangerous structure', and was at risk of 'imminent collapse' the BBC reports.

Council leader Huw Thomas has said questions need to be asked about how the building had been allowed to reach the dangerous state it w as in. 

He tweeted: 'The worst possible news it now seems. Just awful.My deepest sympathies to those affected.Full investigation now required to understand cause.' 

He had earlier written on Twitter: 'Waiting anxiously for news re man trapped in collapsed building in Splott. Thinking of the family affected at this time.' 

Two people escaped with minor injuries, while a third died, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said

The building - Splott Road Baptist Church - was built in 1893 but has been not used for services for over 30 years

Train services between London and Cardiff were delayed or cancelled because of the collapse, as the church is close to the rail line.

The building - Splott Road Baptist Church - was built in 1893 but has been not used for services for over 30 years.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said earlier today that firefighters were at the church and a rescue involving hazardous response teams was taking place.

The disused church was being demolished when the building collapsed this afternoon

She said: 'We were called just after 2.50pm to reports of a building collapse in Splott, Cardiff. There is one casualty.'

The spokeswoman said teams from four fire stations and specialist search and rescue teams were working on the scene.

Train passengers between Wales and England faced delays and cancellations after the building collapse.

A spokesman for Network Rail said the line had been closed for safety reasons due to an 'obstruction.' 

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