RESIDENTS and businessmen in Abersychan are calling for action to rid their street of derelict buildings, described as "a menace," following yet another fire.

The Castle Inn, in High Street had extensive damage done to the first floor following a fire on Wednesday afternoon.

It is the latest blaze to plague the area which has seen nine fires in the road since May 2005 according to South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Now people in the area believe something has to be done with the site, as well as the former Co-op building, to prevent any serious accidents.

Brigitte King, co-owner of King's store in the street said she thinks the buildings should be converted into something people in the area can use, describing the current shells as a "nightmare."

Mrs King, 42, has owned the store for almost two years and lives above it.

"Any derelict building is dangerous because you don't know what the structure's like," she said.

There have been three fires at the site of the Co-op in the past three years.

Mrs King added: "The longer it's left, the worse things get. The Castle, I think it should be turned into something for the community or a business."

South Wales fire service are treating the blaze as being started deliberately.

Granville Lloyd, 59, landlord at the New Inn in the High Street said derelict buildings in the street, including the pub and the former Co-op, were a potential danger to children.

"I've had to phone the fire service about that a few times, it is a menace. It's not a danger to me, it's a danger to other people," he said.

Mr Lloyd said he often saw children going inside the Co-op store and expressed concerns about the safety of the site.

"It's time something was done about that because kids are in and out all of the time. Something is going to happen one day in there, I think it could collapse on the road."

Station Manager Jeff Scrivens attended the fire, he said: "Setting fires in disused buildings can be extremely dangerous for the fire setter themselves and the community.

There can often be rubbish or other goods left in these properties which can lead to fire spread.

This in turn, could affect adjacent buildings and put the neighbourhood at risk."