Investigators have been brought in after a blaze broke out at an abandoned bakery in Haverfordwest.

A fire broke out at Snowdrop Bakery in Haverfordwest, at around 4am this morning (Wednesday, April 8) and the road remains closed.

Resident Glenys Thomas praised the firefighters for their tireless work to stop the fire.

Video: Mal Thomas

She said: "They were here within minutes, and spent all night keeping the fire contained to the one building.

"In normal circumstances I would have brought them out tea and biscuits, to show appreciation of their dedication and hard work, but sorry could not do this with the current lockdown."

Mrs Thomas husband Mal added that the two previous owners would have been sad to see the building go.

Western Telegraph:

All Pictures: Glenys Thomas

Mr Thomas said: "I can only echo how quickly [the firefighter] arrived and how well they did to contain it to the one building.

"I knew Les Pridmore, the founder of the bakers, and Pietro Malvisi, who took over from him, very well.

"Sadly neither of them are with us any more but I’m sure they’d be desperately sad if they knew what had happened. They were both lovely, kind men.

"It sounds like a cliche but it truly was an iconic Haverfordwest building - everyone knew Pridmore’s (Priddy’s) and the comments on Facebook show the affection in which the building and business was held."

Western Telegraph:

Police said the incident was "unexplained" and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A council spokesperson said the building would now have to be demolished.

They said: "Following a request by the Fire Service for an assessment of the building by a Pembrokeshire County Council Structural Engineer, a decision has been taken that the building must be demolished.

"Arrangements are being made for the demolition as soon as possible.

"The road closure will remain in place until further notice.

"A local diversion is in place."

Western Telegraph:

A stop message for the fire was issued at 7.58am this morning, a crew remain at the scene to monitor the incident.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "At 04:03am this morning, Wednesday 8th April 2020, crews from Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Narberth, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard attended a fire at a property in Snowdrop Lane, Haverfordwest.

"The single storey property, measuring approximately 30 meters x 15 meters and used as a place of storage for white goods, was well alight and totally destroyed by the fire.

"Five main jets, an Aerial Rescue Platform water tower, a drone and hydraulic equipment were utilised by the Fire Service to extinguish the fire.

"The Police were also in attendance.

"The Fire Service received the stop message at 07.58am.

"The incident is under Police and Fire investigation."

Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: http://bit.ly/DPPReportOnline, by email at: contactcentre@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.