Kitten escapes from Rhyl building fire next to Apollo Bingo

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at about 7.45pm on Friday evening (July 31).

Staff and customers at Apollo were evacuated after the fire broke out, with the incident brought under control at about 9.30pm.

The scene of the fire at the empty building by Apollo Bingo in Rhyl (Image: Submitted)

A witness described the scene as “complete chaos” – Real Fun Group, which is responsible for the bingo hall, said it implemented its emergency procedures immediately.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

She said: “Staff had no organisation about them and were all running around like headless chickens. Nobody knew where the fire exits were, or how to get out in an organised manner.

“People were told to go out through the main entrance, but said they didn’t want to go out that way because of the thick smoke.

The scene of the fire at the empty building by Apollo Bingo in Rhyl (Image: Submitted)

“In a panic, people have left their belongings inside. They were made to go out through the smoke through the front entrance. It was complete chaos.

“A kitten also ran out of the empty building.”

In response, Real Fun Group said the bingo club was fully evacuated within approximately three minutes, with all customers directed to their nearest safe emergency exit.

The scene of the fire at the empty building by Apollo Bingo in Rhyl (Image: Submitted)

Customers requiring additional assistance, including those with mobility issues, were supported safely from the building.

A Real Fun Group spokesperson said: “As a precaution, the emergency exit closest to the location of the fire was not used, with customers instead directed to alternative safe exits.

“We are aware of comments suggesting that the fire alarm did not sound. This is incorrect.

The scene of the fire at the empty building by Apollo Bingo in Rhyl (Image: Submitted)

“I was personally present at the club during the incident and can confirm the fire alarm was sounding when I arrived and continued to operate until approximately 9.53pm, when North Wales Fire and Rescue Service handed control of the premises back to us.

“We can also confirm that no designated fire exits were locked. This has been verified by the attending fire and rescue service.

“Due to the scale of the fire in the neighbouring premises, smoke did enter the bingo club.  However, our priority was to evacuate everyone from the building as quickly and safely as possible.

The scene of the fire at the empty building by Apollo Bingo in Rhyl (Image: Submitted)

“We are pleased to confirm that all customers and colleagues were safely evacuated, with no injuries and no reports of anyone requiring medical treatment for smoke inhalation.

“Once it was safe to re-enter the premises, and with the permission of the fire service, our team recovered customers' belongings and secured them within the club for collection.”

In a statement video posted to social media, a spokesperson for Apollo Bingo said they had been "very fortunate" that the blaze had broken out in a shop area which isn't part of the premises.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service reminded people of the importance of fully extinguishing cigarettes and disposing of them in a suitable bin or ashtray.

The scene of the fire at the empty building by Apollo Bingo in Rhyl (Image: Submitted)

The Real Fun Group spokesperson added: “A kitten was found outside the premises, although we have no information as to how it came to be inside the building.

“It was safely recovered by a member of our team, who has since adopted it. We are pleased to confirm the kitten is safe and well.

“We are extremely proud of the professionalism demonstrated by our Rhyl team throughout this incident. They acted in accordance with their emergency training and procedures, ensuring the safe evacuation of every customer and colleague.

“While no training exercise can fully replicate a real-life emergency of this nature, the response of our team resulted in the safe evacuation of the building within minutes.

“We would also like to thank North Wales Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response and professionalism.

“We are grateful that the incident concluded without injury and would like to thank our customers for their patience and cooperation throughout.”