AN elderly woman has died following a fire at a house in a residential street in Brecon town centre.
The fire at a two-storey house in St Michael’s Street was reported just before 10am on Sunday, October 21 and worshippers at St Michael’s Catholic Church were unable to use the main doors as the access was blocked by emergency vehicles.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a woman in her 80s had died. A spokeswoman said the cause of death is unexplained but not thought to be suspicious.
The fire had started in a first floor bedroom in the small terrace house which is opposite the church.
Parish priest Father Jimmy Sebastian said the first he was aware of an incident was when he arrived at the Church for 11am Mass and found St Michael’s Street blocked by the emergency services.
He had been returning from his service in Hay-on-Wye.
Father Jimmy said: “The parishioners were not allowed to go into the church through the main door and they were asked to use the door at the side of the church.
“We are very, very sorry about what had happened. I was frightened when I saw all the fire engines and the police and thought something had happened at the church.
“We prayed in church for all those involved and are very sorry for what has happened. It was a shock.”
A spokeswoman for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it sent two fire engines from Brecon and a third crew from Talgarth to the property after receiving a call at 9.57am on Sunday.
Crews remained at the house until 2.52 that afternoon.
The spokeswoman said an investigation will be held into the cause of the fire. The woman’s next of kin and the Powys coroner have been made aware of her death.