GOWERTON: National Grid called in as work to make fire-damaged building safe continues on Sterry Road

New images taken at the scene on Wednesday morning show the full extent of the damage to the Victorian building, which lost its roof in Monday’s fire. Scaffolding has been erected across the front of the structure as contractors assess what remains. National Grid vehicles and a cherry picker were photographed on site as engineers worked on overhead power lines in the immediate area.

South Wales Police remain at the scene. Warning signs and barrier tape are in place across Sterry Road, which continues to be closed to traffic. Local residents say the section of road alongside the chippy side of the street remains inaccessible, though pedestrians can use the opposite pavement near Top Fade barbers and Gowerton station.

The full extent of the fire damage is visible from the side of the building, which neighbours Gowerton Fish and Chips on Sterry Road. Image credit: Social mediaNational Grid engineers work on overhead power lines near the fire-damaged building, with Gowerton Fish and Chips visible next door. Image credit: Social mediaA South Wales Police car and National Grid vehicles on Sterry Road, with a cherry picker working on overhead power lines near the fire-damaged building. Image credit: Social mediaContractors survey the fire-damaged building from outside the security barrier on Sterry Road. Image credit: Social mediaA National Grid vehicle on Sterry Road as engineers attend the scene to deal with power infrastructure affected by the fire. Image credit: Social mediaThe fire-damaged former London and North Western Railway Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton, with scaffolding erected and contractors on site. Image credit: Social media

The fire broke out at 1.13pm on Easter Monday, with six fire stations responding to the blaze at the derelict three-storey building. Crews from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West attended, deploying a turntable ladder as a water tower. The building’s roof collapsed during the fire.

Fire crews left the scene at 6.20pm on Monday. A reinspection at 11pm extinguished remaining hotspots, with scene management then handed to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection was carried out at 8am on Tuesday morning.

South Wales Police confirmed on Tuesday that a formal fire investigation was not required. The road was closed while structural engineers assessed the building for collapse risk, with police warning at that stage there was no timescale for reopening.

The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof destroyed in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.

The building was most recently in use as the home of the Community Cwtch charity shop, whose signage remains visible on the ground floor of the fire-damaged structure.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing significant disruption to the village. The Gowerton Fish and Chips shop, located immediately adjacent to the damaged building, is among the businesses affected.

A National Grid spokesperson said: “Following the fire at a property in Gowerton, and at the request of the emergency services, our engineers attended the site to make the electricity supply safe. As a precaution, the supply was disconnected and removed, and protective works were carried out to enable scaffolding to be erected safely.

“All work has been focused on safety and all of our equipment has now been made safe. There is no wider impact on local electricity supplies.”

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SWANSEA: Police impose 48-hour dispersal order on city centre after Easter holiday disorder

The Section 35 order, granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, came into force on Wednesday and runs until 9.30am on Friday 10 April. It covers a wide area including the Quadrant shopping centre and bus station, Parc Tawe, the Kingsway, Dyfatty, and the area surrounding the National Waterfront Museum.

A Section 35 order gives police the power to instruct anyone who is causing — or is likely to cause — harassment, alarm or distress to leave a defined area for up to 48 hours. Refusing to leave when directed by an officer is a criminal offence, as is returning to the area within the specified period.

South Wales Police Section 35 notice area in Swansea

Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said the order had been authorised following an unacceptable number of reports of youths congregating and causing violence and disorder.

“We are increasing our patrols in the area and intensifying our approach,” he said. “This means that any young person found committing anti-social behaviour in the area will face formal action.”

Among the incidents prompting the order, a police officer was assaulted by a 14-year-old girl, who was subsequently arrested. A teenage boy was also arrested for engaging in disorder over the weekend, with his mother having to collect him from the custody suite.

Acting Chief Inspector Hedley issued a direct message to parents. “I would urge parents to assist us by checking where their children are going and what activities they are engaging in,” he said. “On the weekend, one mother experienced the stress of having to come to collect her son from the custody suite after he had been arrested for engaging in disorder — this is not a scenario we want to see repeated.”

He added: “Officers will not hesitate to enforce these extra powers in order to keep the community safe. Everyone should be able to come into Swansea city centre during the sunny weather and enjoy their time free of any form of harassment or anti-social behaviour.”

The inclusion of Dyfatty in the dispersal zone is significant. South Wales Police launched the Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project in March — a major long-term operation targeting serious organised crime, anti-social behaviour and community safety concerns in the area around High Street North and the nearby tower blocks. The project follows a national model backed by the Home Office, with a year-long police crackdown as its first phase.

Running alongside the policing operation is a £20 million regeneration programme aimed at transforming Dyfatty over the next decade. Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has urged residents to help shape the investment, which is intended to address the deep-rooted social and economic challenges in the neighbourhood.

A similar Section 35 order was imposed in Gorseinon earlier this year following a rise in anti-social behaviour there.

The dispersal order expires at 9.30am on Friday 10 April. Anyone with information about disorder in the area is asked to contact South Wales Police.

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GOWERTON: Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire

Sterry Road in Gowerton remains closed this morning as structural engineers assess the safety of the building gutted by fire on Easter Monday, with police warning there is no timescale for reopening while the risk of collapse remains.

A major fire broke out at the former London and North Western Railway Club on Sterry Road on Monday afternoon, with six fire stations responding and the road closed in both directions. The building’s roof collapsed as a result of the blaze.

A South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday morning that the road closure was still in place and that the building was being assessed for structural safety. The road was “likely to be closed until the building can be made safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no timescale for reopening at that stage.

Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Carl Jones)

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now released full details of Monday’s response, which saw crews from six fire stations attend the blaze. Appliances from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West were all called to the incident at 1.13pm.

Crews faced a fire in a derelict three-storey building measuring approximately 25 metres by 14 metres. A turntable ladder was deployed as a water tower, supported by a bowser, two smooth boards, a 45mm hose, four breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets and two safety officers.

The scale of the incident required a full multi-agency response, with structural engineers, the Local Highways Department, South Wales Police, National Grid, the Gas Board and Local Authorities all attending the scene alongside fire crews.

Fire and Rescue crews left the scene at 6.20pm. A reinspection was carried out at 11pm, with remaining hotspots extinguished using a main jet and hose reel jet before officers handed over scene management to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection by Fire and Rescue crews was completed at 8am on Tuesday morning.

South Wales Police have confirmed that a formal fire investigation is not required. The road remained closed overnight due to the ongoing risk of building collapse.

The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof now lost in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing disruption to the village. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes until further notice.

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KILVEY HILL: Police warn protesters action will follow as demonstration continues over Skyline development

South Wales Police has issued a public warning to protesters on Kilvey Hill that officers will take action against anyone breaking the law, as ongoing protest activity continues at the site of the controversial Skyline development in Swansea.

In a statement published on social media, the force said it was aware of protest activity taking place in the Kilvey Hill area in relation to development work at the site, and that while it supported the right to peaceful protest, that right came with legal limits.

“We support the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully,” the force said. “Decisions about how to police protests require consideration of complex and often competing rights and issues.”

The statement added that officers would act against those who broke the law, whether at the time of the offence or after the fact. “We will take action against anyone who breaks the law, whether this is at the time of the offence or retrospectively,” police said.

However, at least one resident, supportive of the protesters, has pushed back on any suggestion that protest activity is behind whatever prompted the police warning. Anita Aamp, who has commented publicly on the development online, said those who had opposed the scheme had always done so peacefully and within the law, and had maintained regular contact with local officers throughout. “I can pretty much assure you that whatever has happened on the hill has nothing to do with any protests,” she said, suggesting that with the Easter school holidays under way, police might want to “look further afield, as you normally would.”

The Skyline development — a multi-million pound leisure scheme backed by £4m in Welsh Government funding — has been one of the most contentious planning projects in Swansea in recent years. The project, which includes a cable car, luge runs and other visitor attractions, was approved by Swansea Council and is projected to bring significant economic benefits to the city, with reports suggesting it could generate substantial visitor numbers and support job creation in the area.

Supporters of the scheme point to the long-term regeneration potential of Kilvey Hill, arguing that the removal of diseased non-native trees is a necessary precursor to replanting with broadleaf native species, and that the development will transform a largely neglected hillside into a world-class tourism destination.

Opposition has come primarily from a vocal group of local residents living close to the hill, who have raised concerns about the impact on the area’s ecology and community character. Among the flashpoints was the fate of the Green Man of Kilvey — a wire and moss sculpture built by local man Pete Thomas in 1998 — which was left exposed in a cleared landscape after felling work began. Kilvey Woodland Volunteers described it as the “eviction” of a community icon that had stood for nearly 30 years. Skyline Swansea said the sculpture remained a priority and that they were committed to securing its future on the hill.

The controversy also took a political turn in February when Cllr Joe Hale posted a video announcing he was leaving Labour over the development. A statement from the office of council leader Rob Stewart subsequently confirmed that Cllr Hale had been suspended by the party six days before his video, following allegations of malicious communications and harassment that were also referred to South Wales Police. Cllr Hale denied being suspended, saying he had resigned over Skyline.

Both Swansea Council and Skyline Swansea have been actively countering what they describe as misinformation circulating online. The council confirmed that all tree felling had been carried out with planning consent granted in July 2025, and that Natural Resources Wales was consulted throughout the planning process. Developers have also said that ecology concerns raised by campaigners have been addressed.

South Wales Police said it remained open to dialogue with advocacy groups and that its approach would reflect “the values of fairness, equality, and justice.”

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GOWERTON: Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished

Firefighters tackled a major blaze at an abandoned three-storey building on Sterry Road in Gowerton on Easter Monday afternoon, with multiple fire engines at the scene and the road closed in both directions.

The building — formerly the London and North Western Railway Club, known locally as the LNW Club — has been empty for a number of years and was put up for auction in 2023. Thick black smoke and flames could be seen rising above the rooftops of the village shopping street, with residents and passersby gathering to watch from a safe distance.

Sterry Road, a busy shopping street in the village served by the Service 16 bus route, was closed from Talbot Street in both directions. South Wales Police urged people to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

In a statement, police said: “We’re at the scene of an incident on Sterry Road, Gowerton, Swansea. The road is currently closed from Talbot Street and Sterry Road in both directions. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Thank you for your patience.”

Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Paula Draper)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Karen Hughes)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Karen Hughes)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Lyneth Howells)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Lyneth Howells)Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Lyneth Howells)

Several fire engines attended the scene, including an aerial ladder platform. Crews could be seen working to bring the blaze under control. The LNW Club sits next door to the village’s fish and chip shop, in the heart of Sterry Road’s stretch of independent cafes and shops.

Eyewitnesses described seeing thick smoke visible from across the village, with the blaze breaking through the roof of the three-storey building. Images shared on social media showed multiple appliances positioned around the scene and police tape closing off the street.

The building has a long local history. The LMS — the London, Midland and Scottish Railway — operated the former Swansea to Llanelli line which ran through Gowerton before it was dismantled. The route now forms part of a popular cycle track running from Blackpill to Gowerton, widely used by walkers and cyclists.

The club itself latterly carried the name of the London and North Western Railway, another of the historic railway companies associated with the line. The building was listed for auction by Paul Fosh Auctions in 2023 but its current ownership position is unclear.

The fire is not the first to have affected the building. It has previously been the subject of reports of anti-social behaviour in the area, including broken windows at the LNW premises. Local residents have raised concerns about the state of the vacant building on a number of previous occasions.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries, home to a range of independent businesses. The road closure caused disruption to Easter Monday traffic in the area, with drivers being advised to find alternative routes through the village.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers the Gowerton area, was contacted for comment. South Wales Police confirmed the road closure remained in place.

Fire at the former LMS Club on Sterry Road in Gowerton
(Image: Carl Jones)

UPDATE — Monday 6 April, 7pm

South Wales Police have confirmed the fire has now been extinguished, though officers remain at the scene assisting fire crews. A force spokesperson said: “South Wales Police was called at 1:22pm on Monday April 6 to a fire at a property on Sterry Road, Gowerton. The fire has been extinguished and officers remain at the scene assisting fire crews.”

The roof of the building has collapsed as a result of the blaze, with pictures from the scene showing the structure severely damaged.

This is not the first time the property has been destroyed by fire. In October 2020 fire crews attended a major blaze at the then-disused building, tackling it throughout the day. A new roof was fitted in 2021 following the damage caused by that fire — the same roof that has now been lost in today’s incident. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 blaze remained.

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MAESTEG MEAT THIEF: Serial shoplifter jailed and banned from town’s stores after six raids in six weeks

A Maesteg woman has been jailed after admitting six thefts from two of the town’s shops — walking away with meat, alcohol and coffee during a brazen spree that spanned just six weeks.

Samantha Jones, 41, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 30, 2026, after pleading guilty to all six counts of theft.

The offences took place between February and March 2026, with Jones targeting two stores in the Maesteg area in a run of raids that left local businesses counting the cost.

Four of the thefts were carried out at Asda on Castle Street in Maesteg, where Jones made off with meat and spirits worth a combined total of around £300.

The remaining two were carried out at Filco Stores on Hermon Road in Caerau, where she stole coffee and meat valued at approximately £80.

In total, Jones stole goods worth more than £380 across the six incidents.

The case was investigated by South Wales Police‘s Maesteg neighbourhood policing team, who built the case that led to Jones’s guilty pleas and sentencing.

As well as the custodial sentence, Jones has been made subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order — commonly known as a CBO — lasting two years.

The order places strict restrictions on where she is permitted to go once released. Jones is banned from entering any retail premises on Talbot Street and Commercial Street in Maesteg, as well as Asda on Castle Street, B&M Bargains on Llynfi Road and Filco Stores on Hermon Road in Caerau.

The conditions are designed to prevent Jones from returning to the areas and premises where she offended, offering some reassurance to local businesses that were targeted during the spree.

Maesteg Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Danielle Burton welcomed the outcome, saying the case demonstrated what the team could achieve for local traders.

“This was a thorough and in-depth investigation run by our neighbourhood policing teams,” she said. “Businesses in our community deserve to be able to trade without worrying about theft.”

Sgt Burton added that the consequences for Jones would continue well beyond her release date.

“Not only will Jones now serve a short sentence, but she will also be under conditions from the CBO when she is released from jail,” she said.

Shoplifting has become a growing concern for retailers across the region. South Wales Police have repeatedly urged businesses to report theft offences rather than writing them off, insisting that neighbourhood policing teams can and do take action — as this case demonstrates.

The CBO conditions mean that Jones faces further legal consequences if she is found in any of the banned locations after her release.

It is not the first time Bridgend County courts have dealt with repeat offending of this kind. Across the wider area, neighbourhood teams have increasingly turned to CBOs as a tool to protect businesses after shorter sentences fail to deter persistent offenders.

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Uplands man jailed just two days after car theft

A Swansea man has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison just two days after being arrested for breaking into a car and stealing items.

Darren Williams, 54, from Uplands, targeted a vehicle on a lane off Walter Road on March 23, according to South Wales Police. CCTV footage shows him smashing the front passenger window before returning an hour later to attempt another break-in.

Officers were able to match Williams to the CCTV images, arresting him shortly afterwards. Police say he was found in possession of items taken from the vehicle.

Williams pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle and criminal damage to property at Swansea Magistrates’ Court.

PC Luke Morgan, speaking on behalf of South Wales Police, said the case demonstrated the force’s “zero-tolerance approach to thefts from motor vehicles.”

He added that thieves like Williams make “the good, law-abiding people of Swansea fearful that their vehicle could be targeted at any time.”

The speed of the arrest and sentencing has been described as unusually quick. Police released CCTV and bodycam footage of both the theft and the arrest, showing Williams’ brazen behaviour:

https://youtu.be/BF1YPdJaYBY?si=cbxbS2bvAGV49hdG

Residents in Uplands have been reminded to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour, particularly around parked cars. Police also encourage the community to use security measures such as alarms and steering locks to prevent theft.

This is not the first case of quick sentencing in the Swansea area; police say they have increasingly been cracking down on opportunistic thefts, aiming to deter repeat offenders.

The incident has sparked discussion among local residents about car security and the need for stronger community awareness. Some have praised the rapid response, noting that catching thieves quickly can help restore confidence in neighbourhood safety.

Police say Williams’ sentencing highlights how law enforcement in Swansea are acting swiftly against crimes that threaten the local community. Officers say the case serves as a warning that theft from vehicles will be pursued promptly and rigorously.

CCTV and bodycam footage from the arrest is being used to help educate the public about vehicle crime and the importance of reporting suspicious activity.

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DYFATTY CRIME CRACKDOWN: Major police operation targets Swansea hotspot

The Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project is now underway, targeting long-standing issues linked to serious organised crime, anti-social behaviour and community safety concerns in the area around High Street North and nearby tower blocks.

Led by South Wales Police alongside the city council and other agencies, the operation is being described as a “long overdue” intervention for residents.

Map outlining the Dyfatty area targeted under the Clear Hold Build programme
(Image: South Wales Police)

‘Long overdue’ action

Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones said the first phase will focus on removing criminal influence and protecting vulnerable people.

He said many residents have been forced to live with the impact of organised crime for years — despite having no connection to it themselves.

“This work is long overdue for the people who live in Dyfatty,” he said.

Residents, officials and partners attend the launch of the Building a Better Dyfatty programme
(Image: South Wales Police)Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones addresses partners at the project launch event in High Street
(Image: South Wales Police)

Three-phase plan to transform the area

The scheme follows the national Clear Hold Build model — a strategy backed by the Home Office.

• Clear phase: A year-long police-led crackdown targeting offenders and disrupting criminal networks
• Hold phase: Stabilising the area and preventing gangs from returning
• Build phase: Long-term investment to tackle the root causes of crime

Officials say the aim is not just arrests — but lasting change.

Millions pledged to ‘transform’ Dyfatty

Council leader Rob Stewart said the project will work alongside a separate regeneration programme expected to bring up to £20 million into the area over the next decade.

He said the combined efforts would help “clean up and stabilise” Dyfatty while supporting long-term improvements.

The initiative is being coordinated through the Swansea Public Services Board, which includes partners such as Swansea Bay University Health Board and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Community at the heart of the plan

Chair of the board, Andrea Harrington, said the project would focus on listening to residents and working with local communities to deliver change.

She described Dyfatty as a diverse area facing a range of challenges — but said partners were committed to creating a safer, stronger neighbourhood.

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Llanelli tragedy: Family’s plea after police officer’s harbour death sparks safety review

Rehaan Akhtar, 28, from Llanelli, was found in the water at Bristol Harbour in November last year after becoming separated from friends on a night out.

Now, his family have spoken out in a moving interview, describing him as a “big-hearted, loving guy” — and calling for urgent safety improvements to prevent further tragedy.

“A genuinely lovely, loving boy”

His sister, Meena Najmi, said the loss has devastated the family.

She described her brother as someone who “would do anything to help anyone” and revealed he had been looking forward to a new chapter in life.

Rehaan had been planning to move into a new home with his partner — and the couple were due to marry in January.

Final moments ‘devastating’

The family have seen CCTV footage of his final moments and believe he fell from a boat jetty into the water.

Najmi said the moment was “devastating” — and believes more could be done to make the area safer.

She is now urging authorities to consider barriers, better lighting and improved access points to help people escape the water if they fall in.

“If the railings were moved closer to the water’s edge, I think that would be a lot safer,” she said.

“They definitely need more lighting and steps so if someone falls in, there’s a way to get out.”

Safety review underway

The tragedy – along with other incidents – has prompted a safety review at Bristol City Council.

Councillors say they are now examining what changes can be made in what remains a busy, working harbour.

This includes looking at the number and placement of ladders, lighting levels and whether additional safety measures – including barriers – are needed.

Officials say any changes will need to balance safety with the harbour’s day-to-day operations.

Inquest to come

As previously reported by Swansea Bay News, an inquest into Rehaan’s death has already been opened, with a full hearing due to take place.

His death has sent shockwaves through the local community in Llanelli — and his family now hope speaking out will help prevent others suffering the same loss.

“We just want change”

For Rehaan’s loved ones, the focus is now firmly on making sure lessons are learned.

Their message is simple — no family should have to endure the same heartbreak.

And with a safety review now underway, they are hoping action will follow.

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