Suspect fire wrecks GPs' surgery

Firefighters tackle the blaze as the flames reach their height

Police are investigating a suspicious fire which has extensively damaged a doctors' surgery in Cardiff.

Investigators believe the blaze, which began on Thursday night, was started deliberately in a bin next to North Cardiff Medical Centre in Thornhill.

The fire spread to the Excalibur Drive building and gutted the roof.

Any of the 14,000 patients on the roll who have appointments have been advised to attend the branch surgery on nearby Thornhill Road.

Police officers remained on the site overnight and fire officers reinspected the premises early on Friday.

The roof of the building was gutted, and local resident Dave Chinnick said thick, acrid smoke had drifted over his area.

When I arrived it was just smoking and I thought they would be able to get it under control. Half an hour later it was like a towering inferno Pastor Paul Hocking

The Heol Hir roundabout on Excalibur Drive had been cordoned off up to the Sainsburys roundabout, he said.

Pastor Paul Hocking from the Thornhill Church Centre opposite, was called at 2245 BST on Thursday asking if he could open the church so that it could store medical records.

He said he thought the fire had been started in a bin alongside the medical centre and had spread into the building.

He said dozens of teenagers and other members of the public watched as the building burned.

"When I arrived it was just smoking and I thought they would be able to get it under control. Half an hour later it was like a towering inferno," he said.

Nine fire engines

"There were nine fire engines all pumping water - I couldn't believe how it didn't stop."

Mr Hocking said police and fire crews brought across medical records and computers from the building and he thought most had been saved.

Firefighter David Bodilly was among crews called from four stations in south Wales to the scene.

He said: "Two bins were pushed and rolled against the door and the fire got under the eaves and up to the roof space. It just spread right across.

Police cars outside the centre after the suspected arson

"It took an hour-and-a half to bring the fire under control."

"We know the fire was started in the bin, but who started the bin fire?"

The surgery telephone number has been diverted by BT and should allow the practice to continue to help patients.

The surgery has asked those patients with appointments in the near future to go to 67 Thornhill Road, where Excalibur Drive staff will relocate in the short term.

They asked that the public remain patient with them while they set up alternative arrangements.

Anyone with appointments booked was asked to contact the surgery number on the day of the appointment to confirm where to attend.

South Wales Police are appealing to any witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously near the surgery to contact them.

Anyone with information can contact Llanishen police station on 029 2022 2111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111