A FIRE at a historic Welsh colliery site has prompted a police search for a suspect and a reward offer from colliery supporters.

The Navigation Colliery at Crumlin fell victim to a suspected arson on Saturday, June 30.

According to the former colliery's volunteer website a storage cabin and a welfare cabin were set alight.

Despite the best efforts of fire crews the storage cabin was totally destroyed and the Welfare cabin was badly damaged.

A post on the Navigation Colliery website reveals that everything stored in the cabins was lost, including a volunteer-built display board awaiting erection on the site, various items relating to the former colliery's Oral History Project, tables, tools, a petrol strimmer and health and safety items for volunteers.

The 'Friends of the Crumlin Navigation Colliery' volunteer group are dedicated to restoring the former colliery's buildings.

They are now offering a £500 reward for information leading to the identification of a man police are searching for in relation to the incident, pictured at the site wearing dark blue clothes.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said: "At around 9.35pm on Saturday 30th June, we received reports that two portacabins at Navigation colliery in Crumlin were on fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been established and officers are investigating.

"Officers would like to speak to the person shown in this image as they believe he may be able to help with their enquiries.

"If anyone has any information about this incident, please call 101 quoting log 704 30/6/18."