Mill fire closes main road overnight

Fire crews extinguished a blaze at the Grade II listed Ceulan Mill in Talybont, Ceredigion, on Thursday evening. The derelict former woollen mill, located behind Davmor Garage on Birkenhead Street, was destroyed in the incident. Police closed the A487 running through the village overnight, blocking the main route north from Aberystwyth until approximately 6am on Friday.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service received the call at 7:31pm on Thursday, 05th November. Crews from Aberystwyth Fire Station responded to the incident at the three-storey building. The fire was actively involved on all floors of the structure, prompting an immediate emergency response.

“Crews conducted a defensive firefighting operation from outside the building due to the condition of the structure,” the fire service confirmed. Firefighters deployed two hose reel jets, two main jets, and the turntable ladder to extinguish the flames. The structural integrity of the derelict site necessitated this external approach to ensure safety.

Crews remained on site until 11:27pm before leaving the scene. 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.

The historic mill had recently been put up for auction with a guide price of £50,000. The listing, which was postponed, described the property as offering an exceptional chance to preserve local industrial heritage. Ceulan Mill is understood to have ceased operation during the 1960s, with many original workings remaining in situ.

The auction listing detailed the mill’s purpose-built solid stone construction and pitched roof laid with natural slate. It noted that the property retains much of its traditional form and presence. Of particular note, the property includes the original mill wheel, together with the associated generator workings.

The closure of the A487 caused significant disruption for drivers travelling through the Talybont area. The main road remained closed until early Friday morning, allowing emergency services to manage the scene safely. Local residents expressed relief that the fire did not spread to the adjacent operational garage.