The historic Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on the corner of Station Road and Forge Road in Port Talbot was destroyed by the fire which started around 6.45pm yesterday.
At its height six fire appliances attended the scene including a specialist turntable ladder appliance.
The fire comes just days after a large empty school building near Penlan was also “deliberately” set on fire.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “Officers investigating a fire at Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Port Talbot town centre yesterday evening (Thursday April 24) have arrested two teenagers in connection with starting the blaze.
“A 14-year-old boy from Sandfields, Neath Port Talbot and a 15-year-old boy from Bryn, Neath Port Talbot have been arrested on suspicion of arson.
“This investigation is ongoing.”
(Images: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service / Michael Jones)
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and rescue said: “At 6.49pm on Thursday, April 24th, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Port Talbot, Morriston and Neath Fire Stations were called to an incident at the Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on Station Road in Port Talbot.
“Supported by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, crews responded to a fire within the disused chapel, measuring approximately 30 metres by 15 metres. Crews utilised six water jets and one turntable ladder appliance as a water tower to extinguish the fire.
“Crews continued to monitor and extinguish remaining hot spots into the early hours of Friday, April 25th. The building was severely damaged by the fire.”
