STOW Hill in Newport city centre has re-opened a week after a huge fire gutted a 140-year-old Grade II listed church.

Newport City Council say Stow Hill has reopened to traffic following emergency works which followed the blaze at the former Zanzibar nightclub and Bethel Community Church.

One lane is open with vehicles able to use it on a “give and take” basis, say the council.

Since the fire, specialist contractors have carried out work to make the buildings safe and remove debris from the area.

The fire, which started in the abandoned nightclub on Friday, June 15, quickly spread to the rafters of the Bethel Community Church next door.

In a massive response from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 83 fire-fighters, 10 fire engines, five water bowsers, two aerial ladders and hydraulic platforms, an incident command unit and three supporting appliances fought to control the blaze.

A small number of residents whose homes were affected have also been supported with emergency accommodation and have now been allowed back into their homes, say the council.

The affected buildings will remain cordoned off for safety, but vehicle and pedestrian restriction on the road will be lifted.

The future of the buildings will now be determined by their owners, but Newport City Council will continue to work with them and offer assistance where possible.