CAUGHT DEALING: Townhill man who tried to outrun police found hiding behind parked car — and cocaine was on the ground beside him

A Swansea drug dealer who tried to flee from plain-clothed police officers has been jailed for three years and eight months after being caught hiding behind parked cars — with cocaine on the ground nearby.

Kian Meredith, 22, of Caradog Place, Townhill, was spotted by officers on patrol in Prince of Wales Road in Swansea, who observed what they believed was a drug deal taking place among a group of known drug users. When officers approached, the group scattered. Meredith ran towards the Dyfatty junction before being found a short time later crouching behind two parked vehicles on Greenhill Street.

On the ground near him were wraps of cocaine. When searched, officers found a mobile phone and £115 in cash.

A download of Meredith’s phone later revealed messages related to the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine over the previous three months, as well as a so-called “tick list” — a record of money owed to him by customers. He answered no comment to all questions in police interview.

Meredith had already pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and to simple possession of cocaine when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

The case was made significantly more serious by Meredith’s history. He was out of prison on licence at the time of the offence, having previously been convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine in 2023 — offences linked to the Jack line, a drugs network that was supplying significant quantities of both cocaine and heroin to users around Swansea. He received three years in a young offenders institution for those matters.

His barrister Emily Bennett told the court that Meredith had relapsed into cocaine and crack use in January this year “for no particular reason,” which had led to what she described as a “spiral” of addiction, debt and then dealing. She said his decision to run from officers when approached reflected his lack of maturity.

Ms Bennett said her client wanted to use his time in custody constructively, tackle his addiction issues, and train as a barber “so he is in a better position when he comes out of prison.”

Judge Catherine Richards said she accepted that Meredith’s life had been blighted by drugs, but said that by the age of just 22 he had been caught dealing on three separate occasions — and that the most recent offence was aggravated by the fact he had been on licence at the time. With a one-third reduction for his guilty pleas, she imposed a sentence of three years and eight months. He will serve 40% of that in custody before being released on licence.

The area where Meredith was caught has been the focus of a dedicated crackdown by South Wales Police, which has already seen crime fall 12% and anti-social behaviour drop 69% in the Dyfatty area following targeted enforcement activity.

South Wales Police Sergeant Luke Tucker said: “Kian Meredith was caught in the act while trying to peddle his poison onto the streets of Swansea. He is now going to prison for almost four years — a very costly price to pay which shows that dealing Class A drugs is just not worth it. Our officers will find you and you will go to prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Crime down 12% and anti-social behaviour down 69% as Dyfatty crackdown delivers early results
South Wales Police targeted the same area where Meredith was caught dealing, with significant early results.

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
South Wales Police smashed a major drugs supply operation across multiple areas of Swansea.

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
A violent revenge attack in Swansea led to lengthy prison sentences for those involved.

#cocaine #DrugDealing #Dyfatty #JackLine #KianMeredith #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt #Townhill

Swansea: Waun Wen man jailed after being found guilty of rape

30-year-old Adam Ezalden, from Waun Wen, punched and kicked his victim on a number of occasions after the victim had made clear that he did not have her consent.

The victim was only able to escape the assault, which took place in April 2024, after elbowing Ezalden to the face and taking the opportunity to run away.

Ezalden was found guilty of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in March 2026. He has this week been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Detective Constable Carys Davies said:

“This was a harrowing attack in which Adam Ezalden used his clear power over the victim to achieve sexual gratification, even using violence as he did so.

“He is clearly a danger to women and is therefore not welcome on the streets of Swansea.

“We hope that the victim is able to overcome her trauma suffered at the hands of Adam Ezalden, and commend her for her bravery in coming forward.”

If you have been sexually abused, and you are not yet ready to report to police, please don’t suffer in silence. A wealth of information and details of support services can be found here.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

More local Police & Crime stories can be found here.

#CourtNews #rape #SouthWalesPolice #WaunWen

Elderly woman found dead in freezer at home as police probe mysterious death

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/porthcawl-freezer-woman-dead-wales-37015795

SWANSEA: Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack

Swansea Crown Court heard that the background to the violence was a belief on the part of brothers Adam Miller and Kristian Thomas that Corey Jenkins was involved in drug dealing in the Ravenhill area of Swansea.

On 6 June, the pair acted on that belief by taking golf clubs to the Jenkins family home on Rhodfa’r Brain, where they smashed a number of downstairs windows before walking to the nearby home of a relative, David Dallimore.

In response, four members of the Jenkins family — Paul, Christopher, Corey and Lisa Jenkins — armed themselves with weapons and made their way to Mr Dallimore’s address, where the confrontation spilled into the street.

The disturbance was captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage. Corey Jenkins was seen wielding a plank of wood studded with nails and a metal pole, Paul Jenkins had a hammer, and Christopher and Lisa Jenkins were armed with sticks.

During the melee, Thomas struck neighbour Kirsty Choi on the head with a metal pole as she tried to help an injured member of the Jenkins family nearby.

Judge Catherine Richards said that while Miller and Thomas had sparked the incident by taking the law into their own hands and attacking the Jenkins home, the Jenkins family had then armed themselves and engaged in an act of “vigilantism” without regard for the impact on the wider community or the fear caused to fellow residents.

The judge’s remarks underlined the serious impact the disorder had on innocent people in the area. Residents who had no connection to either party were left to witness a large-scale armed confrontation on their street, with the judge making clear that the Jenkins family’s decision to arm themselves and pursue retribution had significantly aggravated the situation.

Paul Jenkins, 64, Christopher Paul Jenkins, 45, Corey Jenkins, 23, and Lisa Dawn Jenkins, 45, all of Rhodfa’r Brain, Ravenhill, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Paul and Christopher Jenkins have previous convictions; Corey and Lisa Jenkins had been of previously good character.

Kristian Dale Thomas, 39, of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was convicted at trial of the unlawful wounding of Miss Choi. He was described as having an extensive record including possession of offensive weapons, affray, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and handling stolen goods.

Adam Miller, 34, also of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. He too was described as having an extensive record including affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, arson and criminal damage. Both men were acquitted at trial of violent disorder in relation to the Rhodfa’r Brain incident. Mr Dallimore was also found not guilty.

With discounts for their guilty pleas, Paul Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins were both sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Corey Jenkins to 22 months. Lisa Jenkins received an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and abide by a nightly curfew for two months.

Miller was sentenced to nine months in prison. Thomas, whose conviction at trial for the wounding of Miss Choi added significantly to his sentence, received 26 months in prison.

Those given immediate custodial sentences will serve 40% of their terms behind bars before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community. The case was prosecuted following a police investigation into the disorder, which had been captured in detail on CCTV and mobile phone footage recovered from the scene.

#CCTV #criminalDamage #DrugDealing #featured #Penlan #Ravenhill #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCouncil

GOWERTON: Dramatic scenes as skip lorry loses control after hitting Railway bridge

A bridge that has been crashed into dozens of times over the years has been struck once again in Gowerton, temporarily closing the road from vehicle access.

Trafle Mill railway bridge, located on Victoria Road in Gowerton, which has a height limit of 3.3 metres, is a notorious accident blackspot, hit over 30 times in the past decade, often by tall lorries and buses.

As of 2026, it remains one of Wales’ most frequently struck bridges, causing significant traffic delays and rail safety checks. 

The blue skip lorry’s lifting arm gets caught on the underside of the bridge (Image: Facebook / Mark Needs)

Despite existing signage and warnings, vehicles continue to hit the bridge. Network Rail has previously installed extra warning signs and laser sensors to alert drivers, but still accidents occur.

The most recent notable vehicle strike occurred in April 2023, when a van hit the bridge, requiring police assistance for traffic management. Other significant strikes in recent years include: 

• May 2022: An agricultural vehicle struck the bridge, leading to a temporary road closure for damage assessment.
• August 2020: A Swansea Council refuse collection vehicle (bin lorry) hit the bridge, causing significant tailbacks and disrupting local bus services.
• March 2020: A Kingsmill bread van had its roof sliced off while attempting to pass underneath.
• October 2019: A lorry’s roof was completely ripped off, which prompted rail service delays as a safety precaution. 

On this occasion, the road was closed in both directions on the B4296 and the A484 roundabout (near the old ‘the Wave’ studios) for some time, with South Wales Police present.

Local resident, Mark Needs captured the dramatic scenes below.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the accident, with the Force confirming the road had reopened later in the evening.

[Lead image: Julian Morgan]

#Collison #featured #Gowerton #SouthWalesPolice #TrafleMillRailwayBridge

SWANSEA: Crime down 12% and anti-social behaviour down 69% as Dyfatty crackdown delivers early results

The results cover the period between 15 January and 15 March, the first two months of the Clear Hold Build initiative, which was launched by South Wales Police and partners in late March with a pledge to take back the streets from organised crime.

South Wales Police say that in that period, officers carried out 28 proactive arrests for offences including assaults, robberies, drug dealing and possession, fail-to-appear warrants and weapon-related offences. A further 45 stop searches were conducted, 15 of which produced positive results leading to arrests or out-of-court disposals.

Police say 38 people were issued with directions to leave the area in response to anti-social behaviour, and four community protection warning notices were issued to repeat offenders with no legitimate reason to be in Dyfatty. Officers also executed five misuse-of-drugs warrants at identified addresses during the period.

The 69% reduction in reported anti-social behaviour incidents compared to the same period last year is particularly striking given the scale of the problems that preceded the operation. Residents had been living with the effects of organised crime for years — a situation Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones described as “long overdue” for action when the operation launched.

Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said the results reflected the strength of the partnership approach established between police, the local authority, support services and the community. “Our continued presence in Dyfatty is making a real difference, and we are committed to building on this progress to ensure residents feel safe and supported,” he said. “This is only the beginning, and we will keep working together to deliver long-lasting improvements for the area.”

The Clear Hold Build model, backed by the Home Office, follows a three-phase approach. The first — Clear — involves a year-long police-led crackdown targeting offenders and disrupting criminal networks. The second phase, Hold, focuses on stabilising the area and preventing gangs from returning once enforcement pressure eases. The final phase, Build, brings long-term investment to tackle the root causes of crime and support economic growth.

The force says the Dyfatty project is the flagship scheme for the Swansea Public Services Board and builds on similar operations delivered elsewhere in the South Wales Police force area, including in Merthyr Tydfil, Adamsdown, Roath and Butetown.

The Hold phase will be led by Swansea Council working with all Public Services Board partners, and police and partners say it will focus on maintaining security, preventing criminal re-infiltration and strengthening community confidence. The Build phase will begin during the Hold phase and continue over the longer term.

The operation is being coordinated through the Swansea Public Services Board, which brings together South Wales Police, Swansea Council, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Council leader Rob Stewart had pledged at the outset that the project would run alongside a separate regeneration programme expected to bring up to £20 million of investment into Dyfatty over the next decade.

The early results suggest the intensive enforcement phase is having a tangible effect on the ground. Police have not yet detailed how many of the 28 arrests have led to charges or prosecutions, but the volume of activity in just eight weeks underlines the scale of the operation.

The force has signalled that work will continue in the months ahead, with the stated aim not simply of making arrests but of achieving lasting change for residents who have long borne the brunt of crime and disorder in the area.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Dyfatty crime crackdown: Major police operation targets Swansea hotspot
Our original report on the launch of the Clear Hold Build operation in March.

Dyfatty set for £20m investment boost
The regeneration plans running alongside the police operation.

Dyfatty flats set for major upgrade
Multi-million pound plans to improve ageing council tower blocks in the area.

#antiSocialBehaviour #ClearHoldBuild #CrimeReduction #Dyfatty #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCouncil

GOWERTON: Sterry Road closure could be eased after structural report — but schools return to disruption next week

In a video update posted to social media on Saturday morning, the ward councillor said he had been liaising directly with a specialist building control manager at Swansea Council, and that a team had been commissioned to assess what remains of the Victorian building. He said the road could reopen fully or partially depending on what the report finds, and promised to update the community as soon as the findings were known.

The building was gutted by fire on Easter Monday afternoon, when crews from six fire stations — Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West — attended the blaze at the derelict three-storey structure at 1.13pm. The building’s roof collapsed during the fire, and the scale of the response required a full multi-agency attendance including structural engineers, the local highways department, National Grid, the gas board and South Wales Police alongside fire crews.

Cllr Jenkins also flagged growing concern about the impact on traffic when schools return after the Easter holidays next week. Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s busiest streets — a main shopping artery for the village, home to local businesses including the Gowerton Fish and Chips shop immediately next door to the damaged building, and a key bus route connecting Swansea to Waunarlwydd, Gowerton and Gorseinon. Its continued closure has caused significant disruption to residents, businesses and commuters throughout the week, and the councillor warned that congestion was likely to worsen once the school run resumes.

The councillor thanked the fire brigade and police for securing the area and making it safe in the aftermath of the blaze. He also raised the possibility that the fire may have been started deliberately, saying that if that proved to be the case, those responsible had put the lives of firefighters, officers and the public at risk.

The former London and North Western Railway Club on Sterry Road, still bearing the LNW signage on its fire-ravaged facade. Image credit: Richard Bond

South Wales Police confirmed earlier this week that a formal fire investigation was not required. Sterry Road was closed while structural engineers assessed the building for collapse risk, with police warning at that stage that there was no timescale for reopening while the danger remained.

National Grid engineers were also called to the scene to deal with overhead power lines affected by the blaze. A spokesperson confirmed that as a precaution the electricity 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,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no wider impact on local electricity supplies.

Scaffolding has been erected across the front of the gutted structure as contractors assess what remains. Local residents say the section of road alongside the chippy side of the street remains inaccessible, though pedestrians have been able to use the opposite pavement near Top Fade barbers and Gowerton station during the closure.

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

The former London and North Western Railway Club has been a landmark on Sterry Road for well over a century. Its derelict state and troubled recent history had already made it a concern in the community before Monday’s fire reduced it to a shell, with the loss of its roof — fitted just four years ago — leaving the Victorian walls exposed to the elements.

Cllr Jenkins said he would continue to liaise with the council’s building control team and would share the findings of the structural report with residents as soon as they were available. In the meantime, drivers are advised to avoid Sterry Road and use alternative routes.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

National Grid called in as work to make fire-damaged building safe continues on Sterry Road
The latest update before today’s announcement, including photos from the scene.

Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
How the situation developed in the days following the blaze.

Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished
Our original report on the Easter Monday fire.

#CllrDaiJenkins #fire #Gowerton #LNWClub #LNWClubFire #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #NationalGrid #SouthWalesPolice

Gorseinon Hospital bosses make personal pledge to councillors: ‘We are not closing this hospital’

Chair Jan Williams and Chief Executive Abi Harris attended a meeting at the hospital itself to face councillors directly, following months of worry sparked by the temporary transfer of inpatient beds to Singleton Hospital and the appearance of metal security plates on the West Ward windows.

The beds were moved to Singleton in October last year over patient safety concerns, and were supposed to return by 31 March. That deadline has now been pushed back to 30 September — because, the health board says, the safety work wasn’t finished in time to bring patients back safely.

The security plates caused particular alarm in the community. The health board says they were put up after thieves broke into a disused bungalow at the back of the hospital and stole copper piping. South Wales Police were called, and a person was subsequently arrested and charged. The plates will come down, the health board says, once window latches are secured and security cameras are installed.

Speaking after the meeting, Jan Williams and Abi Harris said: “We have a number of services delivered from the hospital which are looking for additional space to ensure they can see as many patients as possible — including the pacemaker and heart failure clinics. We are supporting those services to make use of the space freed up in the ward area on a temporary basis.”

They also revealed that pacemaker and heart failure clinics are looking to expand into the space freed up by the ward closure on a temporary basis — a sign, the health board says, of the building’s continued use rather than a wind-down.

Gorseinon Hospital continues to operate a long list of services that are completely unaffected by the bed transfer. These include musculoskeletal physiotherapy, respiratory and cardiology clinics including the Heart Failure Clinic for patients across the whole of Swansea Bay, phlebotomy, district nursing, school nursing, health visiting, Parkinson’s nurses, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and community bladder and bowel health teams.

The health board says the longer-term future of the hospital will be decided through its wider clinical services review — Transforming for the Future — which looks at how all services can best be delivered. Hospital bosses added that a series of public listening events is planned, starting in Gorseinon, to give local people a say in what happens next.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Health board insists Gorseinon Hospital will not close as councillors press case for inpatient services
The previous round of assurances — and the pressure that prompted them.

Health board confirms temporary transfer of Gorseinon Hospital inpatient beds to Singleton
How it started — and what the health board said when the beds were first moved.

Health board considers moving all inpatient beds from Gorseinon Hospital to Singleton
The story from the very beginning.

#Gorseinon #GorseinonHospital #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard

ABERAVON: Lifebuoy set on fire on beach during Easter holiday disorder — police and coastguard warn vandalism “could have had dire consequences”

Police and the coastguard have condemned the destruction of life-saving equipment on a South Wales beach during the Easter holidays after a lifebuoy was among items set alight by vandals.

South Wales Police say officers received reports of a number of items being deliberately burned on Aberavon Beach earlier this week, including the orange lifebuoy ring on North Pier.

Port Talbot Coastguard, who shared the same image of the charred ring, confirmed it was one of the life rings located on the North Pier on the small side of Aberafan Beach — equipment they say is vital for those first on scene in an emergency.

Inspector Andrew Price of South Wales Police said the damage could have cost someone their life. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves in the good weather, but there is absolutely no excuse for damaging this vital life-saving equipment,” he said. “This vandalism could have had dire consequences if somebody had got into difficulty, so it is incredibly fortunate that this was not the case.”

Port Talbot Coastguard said they respond to many incidents at this location and urged the public to treat the equipment with respect. “These are essential pieces of life-saving equipment, provided for use in emergency situations,” they said. “We kindly ask all members of the public to treat them with respect and refrain from tampering with or damaging them, so they remain available and fully functional when needed.”

Photographs from the scene show the lifebuoy ring burned through and lying in the sand, its foam filling destroyed. A second image shows a beach chair and charred wood left behind from what appears to have been an unauthorised fire, with litter scattered across a wide stretch of beach in front of nearby residential housing.

The aftermath of an unauthorised beach fire at Aberavon — a burned chair and charred wood left on the sand, with litter visible across a wide area in front of nearby housing. Image credit: South Wales Police / Facebook

The incident is the latest in a wave of anti-social behaviour that has blighted coastal and town centre locations across the region during the school holidays. In Swansea, a 48-hour dispersal order was imposed on the city centre — covering an area stretching from the Quadrant to the National Waterfront Museum — after a police officer was assaulted by a 14-year-old and a series of other incidents over the Easter weekend. In Tenby, four teenagers were stabbed at the railway station, prompting furious demands from local councillors for more visible policing.

The destruction of rescue equipment carries consequences that outlast the moment of vandalism. Lifebuoys are not always replaced immediately when damaged or stolen, leaving a gap in safety provision that can persist for days — particularly at beaches without lifeguard cover. The coastguard urged anyone who witnesses damage to the equipment to inform police immediately.

The issue is one Swansea Council has been working to address directly. Earlier this year the authority rolled out smart sensors fitted to more than 40 Public Rescue Aid units at waterside locations across the city, with the system automatically alerting the Water Safety Team when a rescue ring is opened or disturbed — allowing replacements to be put in place within 24 hours.

Aberavon Beach itself is subject to a dedicated seasonal operation targeting anti-social behaviour. Operation Adriatic — now in its fourth year — sees South Wales Police work alongside Neath Port Talbot Council, the RNLI and other agencies to keep the seafront safe. RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris has previously said the operation has helped create “a vibrant and welcoming beachfront” — making the deliberate targeting of safety equipment all the more jarring.

Aberavon Beach is one of the most popular stretches of coastline in Neath Port Talbot, managed by the council and used by thousands of families and visitors throughout the summer season.

South Wales Police have been stepping up activity at known anti-social behaviour hotspots as the warmer months approach. Inspector Price urged anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour to report it on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Taskforce aims to clamp down on Aberavon Beach antisocial behaviour
Operation Adriatic — the multi-agency summer operation now in its fourth season at Aberavon seafront.

New smart sensors rolled out to protect Swansea’s water users
How Swansea Council’s sensor network helps keep rescue equipment in service and replacements swift.

SWANSEA: Police impose 48-hour dispersal order on city centre after Easter holiday disorder
Officers respond to disorder across Swansea including the waterfront area over the Easter break.

LLANELLI: Police crack down on North Dock anti-social behaviour hotspot as spring season begins
Officers move to address disorder at a well-known trouble spot as warmer weather arrives.

#Aberafan #Aberavon #AberavonBeach #antiSocialBehaviour #lifeRing #lifebuoy #PortTalbotCoastguard #SouthWalesPolice #vandalism

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.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

GOWERTON: Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
Structural engineers assessed the former LNW Club on Tuesday as police warned there was no timescale for reopening Sterry Road.

GOWERTON: Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished
Our original report on the Easter Monday fire, including eyewitness accounts and the history of the building.

#fire #Gowerton #LNWClub #LNWClubFire #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #NationalGrid #SouthWalesPolice