When I had a phone call from a relative on Tuesday night about a fire at the former Grange Hotel, I went down there not expecting to see anything more than a bit of smoke and maybe a couple of flames.
Wrong.
There was a lot of both as I stood and watched as more fire appliances arrived with the incident command unit and the fire service 'cherry-picker' surveyed the scene. I wasn't alone watching the blaze, members of the public (some in dressing gowns and slippers) gathered to watch the firemen tackle the flames.
News of a man rescued and taken to hospital soon filtered through and rumours began to spread of three people trapped inside, something that was neither confirmed or denied by police who had helped cordon off the area.
Looking at the Grange go up in smoke left a strange atmosphere around the 'spectators'. Whilst many speculated about squatters and insurance, I, like an elderly couple near me, was sad.
My nain worked at the Grange for years and to see a building which had held such fond memories for so many people at the hundreds of parties and weddings over the years is a huge shame.
At a time when so many stories we at the Visitor hear about the poor state of Rhyl, its plight can possibly be reflected in a one time shining light for the town left to rot, catch fire, then go up in smoke.

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit