Five teenagers have been charged with arson following a fire which gutted a historic listed manor house in the Neath Valley.
Emergency services were called to the Grade II* listed Rheola House on the afternoon of August 18 to find the 10-bedroom property "well alight". Five teens from Neath, Swansea, and Merthyr have now been charged in connection with the incident.
Charges and defendants
Kyle Renzoni, 18, of Cadoxton, Neath; Ellis Harding, 19, of Gendros, Swansea; Yian Foster, 18, of Resolven, Neath Valley; Evan Traynor, 18, of Waunarlwydd, Swansea, and a 17-year-old boy from Dowlais, Merthyr - who cannot be named due to his age - have all been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
Renzoni was also charged with possession of bladed article in a public place.
Historic property
Rheola House - built between 1812 and 1818 - was one of Wales' most treasured properties, and was designed by the famous architect John Nash whose work includes designs for London's Marble Arch, Regent Street and Regent's Park, the redesign of Buckingham Palace, and the remodelling of Brighton's Royal Pavilion.
The house was awarded the higher level star listing by Cadw as "an important early 19th century country house in the picturesque tradition".
Future plans
The property is currently owned by The Brook Group who posted on Instagram in February 2024: "One of our most ambitious schemes to date is currently progressing through planning.
"The Rheola Estate spans across 110+ acres and proposals include 295 lodges, restaurants, sports complex, commercial zones and the redevelopment of Rheola House into a boutique hotel."
