A major fire has destroyed a church and disused nightclub building in Newport.

Smoke from the buildings in the city's Stow Hill area was visible across the city when the fire broke out on Friday evening.

One building used to be a nightclub and had several names including Zanzibar, Escapade and Brooklyn Heights. It has been empty for several years.

Next to it, the fire entirely engulfed the Bethel Community Church.

The church, which is 140 years old, had been trying to raise £183,500 to restore the roof and create a new floor in the upper area.

(Image: Chelly Toms)

Pastor Andrew Cleverley said: “We were in the process of redeveloping it all and now it’s gone.

“The inside of the roof was quite unique. It was all wood.”

It is just one of a number of recent fires in the centre of Newport. There was a fire at a Masonic Hall last month.

On March 20, part of the city centre was closed after a fire at a disused church in Lower Dock Street.

In February, there was also a large fire on Ringwood Avenue.

(Image: Marcus Hughes)

The fire service said that there were 10 fire crews and 11 supporting appliances at the scene on Friday night. Firefighters are still there this morning damping down.

Some 40 people were evacuated from neighbouring properties and the stability of the nightclub and church are being assessed.

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