That is very sad news. As a child in the 40s I can still remember attending what we called the Chaipil. Before attending the service we would run down to the slip (slipway into the harbour) and rub our collection pennies in the sand until the shone new and bright.
The report doesn't say anything about the old lifeboat shed next door which has become the store for the growing collection of artifacts being put together by the Heritage Society.
I hope that collection was saved.
Update Friday 25th March
Have now heard from a friend in Johnshaven the Fire and Rescue Service where on the scene quickly and they did great job and limited the fire to the old St John's Chapel which was totally destroyed. This being a boat builders store it was full of inflamable material including gas canisters. The neighbouring dwelling houses and the Old Lifeboat Shed, Johnshaven Heritage Society's archives store, were not damaged.
