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.”
(Image: Paula Draper)
(Image: Karen Hughes)
(Image: Karen Hughes)
(Image: Lyneth Howells)
(Image: Lyneth Howells)
(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.
(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.
Photos: Lyneth Howells, Carl Jones, Karen Hughes, Paula Draper
