THEY lost their bus, winning trophy, prizemoney and personal possessions, but a male voice choir insist they have not lost their love for singing, following a coach fire on the way home from a competition in Powys last weekend.

Members of Bechgyn Bro Taf were on the way home to Cardiff in the early hours of Sunday morning, September 29, when their coach became engulfed in flames.

The incident occurred late on Saturday night near Libanus, just outside Brecon. The choir were heading home from Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod, in Llanwrtyd Wells, where they took home the best choir prize on the evening.

Members of the 30-or-so-strong choir – who have won multiple national awards – noticed smoke coming from the back of the bus, before a fire broke out and they were evacuated.

It led to the closure of the A470 in both directions, with the road only reopening partially on Monday afternoon.

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The “frightening” incident resulted in the choir’s trophy and £300 prizemoney from the eisteddfod going up in flames – not to mention their personal belongings – but they are looking forward to returning to Llanwrtyd in the future.

“Late on Saturday night members of Bechgyn Bro Taf were involved in a frightening incident as the bus hired to travel from Llanwrtyd to Cardiff caught fire near Libanus,” said choir chairman Huw Price.

“Fortunately, no-one was injured, despite the dramatic photos, and everyone arrived back in Cardiff safely in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“After the choir had been competing and socialising at the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod, on the way home, members of the choir realized that smoke was coming from the back of the bus.

“Everyone managed to leave the vehicle immediately, reach a safe place and call the emergency services.

“In addition to the £300 prize for winning the eisteddfod choral competition, many of the choir lost their personal property to the fire.”

Brecon Fire Station posted a dramatic photo on its Facebook page on Sunday morning, capturing an image of the 50-seater coach well ablaze in the early hours.

“The choir would like to say a big thank you to Dyfed-Powys Police and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for their quick response and to the wider community for their kind messages of support,” Huw added.

“Many thanks also to the town of Llanwrtyd and the eisteddfod for welcoming us to a competition and an excellent night of singing.

“The experience on Saturday night has not dimmed the boys' desire to travel to sing and enjoy whenever the opportunity arises and the choir is already talking about returning to Llanwrtyd in the future.”

Bechgyn Bro Taf’s repertoire ranges from the more traditional Welsh male voice choir numbers to barbershop, jazz and pop songs.

Earlier this year, the group won the equal voice choir category at Welsh language television channel S4C’s Côr Cymru competition. In 2009 they won the competition’s male voice category.

Eisteddfod Gadeiriol Llanwrtyd, organisers of Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod, this year celebrating its 72nd anniversary, said: “We were fortunate to enjoy a wonderful evening of singing at Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod, in the company of two fantastic choirs.

“Many thanks to Builth Wells Ladies Choir for supporting the eisteddfod once again this year – the ladies have been loyal supporters for many years.

“It was also a privilege to welcome Bechgyn Bro Taf to Llanwrtyd and congratulations to them on their success.

“Although they didn't have an easy journey back to Cardiff, we were all glad to hear that everyone was safe.”