Work starts on demolition of former furniture shop

WORK has started to demolish a former furniture warehouse devastated by a fire.

The discount furniture warehouse on City Road, Cardiff, was completely gutted by a blaze two years ago.

The structure has stood unused after firefighters fought flames at the building on the evening of April 6, 2016.

But demolition work has now begun after Cardiff Council officers visited the site and deemed the structure unsafe.

More than 50 firefighters were called to the fire at the two-storey building on the corner of City Road and Shakespeare Street on Thursday, April 6, 2016.

Cardiff Council said building control officers recently carried out a survey on the site and determined that it was unsafe.

Prior planning approval on the method of demolition used is not required on structures that have been deemed hazardous.

A council spokesman said: “Building control officers have visited the site and the building has been deemed unsafe.

“Given this, under part 31 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order, the building can be demolished without prior planning approval on the method that is used.

“An application has been sent by the owner to council building control to demolish the property in line with the relevant legislation, and officers will continue to review the situation as the building is demolished, to ensure there is no risk to public safety.”