SOUTH WALES POLICE have strongly refuted a widely circulated conspiracy theory suggesting Pakistani Muslims were behind a recent blaze at a derelict church in Port Talbot, branding the claims “completely false”.
More than five million people have viewed misleading posts on social media platform X, including one by far-right American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who falsely alleged that the fire formed part of a “massive attack on Christianity”. Jones, who was infamously ordered to pay £1.32 billion in damages in 2022 for spreading lies about the Sandy Hook school shooting, claimed in his post that “if you complain the thought police arrest you.”
Another prominent X account echoed these claims, also suggesting—without providing any evidence—that the fire was linked to Pakistani Muslims. Both posts were shared thousands of times, fuelling misinformation online.
In a statement issued directly beneath the false posts, South Wales Police clarified: “This is completely false information. Two teenagers, both from Neath Port Talbot, have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with this incident.” Despite their efforts to correct the narrative, the police response has so far garnered fewer than 400,000 views—just a fraction of the reach of the original conspiracy posts.
The fire broke out last Thursday evening at the disused Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on Station Road. Built in 1879 and closed since 2000, the Grade II-listed building—also known locally as Bethany Presbyterian Church—suffered significant damage.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 6.49pm. A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “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.”
The two suspects, a 14-year-old from the Sandfields area and a 15-year-old from Bryn, remain under investigation.
Authorities continue to urge the public not to share unverified information, particularly when it inflames racial or religious tensions. The spread of false narratives, they warn, not only distorts the truth but also undermines efforts to foster community cohesion.
