Ref. 30734-2SCAFFOLDING now encases the bell tower of the Locarno in Old Town, a week after the remains of the building's interior were destroyed by fire.

Meanwhile, the leader of Swindon Council would like to see the doors and windows temporarily bricked up to prevent further fires.

The scaffolding has been put in place ready for engineers from Swindon Council to determine the state of the Old Town landmark.

Last Wednesday's fire was the second in a little over a year. The fire brigade has concluded its site investigation and will release its conclusions later, although police are still investigating.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that one of the three bells removed last week amid fears the tower might collapse under its weight is fractured.

Ian Stark, the council's senior building control surveyor, said: "Each of the bells was tested prior to being lowered to the ground on Friday.

"Two were found to ring, while the third gave a dull sound."

Of the three bells, dating from 1868, it is the middle-sized one that is affected.

As it was fractured before it left the bell tower and was gently lowered, it is likely the brittle metal broke in the sudden change of temperature from scorching heat to cold as the flames were doused with water.

Such were the extremes of temperature that hot spots in the building were still smoking more than 24 hours after the fire broke out.

Mr Stark said the bells were in the safekeeping of Swindon Services, the council's direct services arm of the council, with a view to returning them to Gael Mackenzie, the owner of the building.

He added that the fire brigade had finished their investigation of the scene although police were still present.

The council and Mr Mackenzie are in negotiations over plans to turn the building and the council-owned land around it into a residential and leisure area.

The council has set a July 28 deadline for a deal to be agreed.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said: "I think that the most sensible way forward at the moment is to temporarily brick the doors and windows up.

"I believe this would be the best way of avoiding having further fires break out there between now and the site being developed."

Coun Bawden said council workers would now examine the building and make sure it was safe.

It would then, he added, be turned over to the care of Mr Mackenzie.

Under the law, local authorities have a duty to make safe any building that is a potential danger to the public, although the cost must be met by the owner.

Mr Mackenzie was unavailable for comment.

Barrie Hudson