A monstrous inferno erupted lighting up the sky above Mynydd Gelliwastad, Clydach, with masses of calls flooding the fire service as flames raged dangerously close to local farms.
Three fire crews from Morriston, Neath, Ammanford and Pontardawe were in attendance at the mountain South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed on Tuesday at 8pm which was finally extinguished just after midnight.
Elsewhere crews had a busy night with another grass fires across the country including one at Fairwood Common.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said “it was pretty non-stop”.
A nearby resident, Mark Lane, told WalesOnline: ‘The fire is massive, with flames reaching an estimated 40-plus feet in height.
[Image credit: Andrew Webber]
“It’s spreading rapidly in both directions, making it a challenging situation for the fire brigade to manage, especially given its location at the top of a hill.”
Mr Lane said some firefighters were trying to reach the blaze by crossing the land on foot.
A drone was sent up to assess the spread and scale of the fire, given the difficulty in accessing the site.
Andrew Webber from Llansamlet recounted: “I’d just got to my parents to drop them home and could see the sky lighting up orange and then saw the flames. Me and my dad walked down the road a few yards and saw the view I had in the video and photos.”
Webber also observed: “We could see emergency vehicles making their way up so I’m assuming it’s not a controlled fire.”
(Image: Melody Valeroso Loza)
(Image: Tim Stephens)
(Image: Andrew Webber)
Posting to a local facebook group, Jeremy Williams said: “I came out of the street and saw this. Never seen it so bad. I think this is the worst one. Makes me so mad.”
Morriston resident, Melody Valeroso Loza said: “A terrible fire. Hope everyone ok, keep safe.”
Tim Stevens added: “Absolutely massive fire toward the mountain ! Worst I’ve ever seen it”
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: “At 19:09 on Tuesday, 18th March, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Morriston, Pontardawe and Neath Fire Stations were called to an incident at Mynydd Gelliwastad Mountain, Clydach.
“Crews responded to a Category 2 wildfire with 20 hectares of gorse alight. Crews utilised blowers and beaters to extinguish the fire.
“Crews left the scene at 23:12.”
In a recent statement, South Wales Police revealed that the force had responded to several intentional fires on the Gower commons in just the last few days. Urging anyone with information about these incidents to step forward, the public is asked to contact 101.
(Lead image: Jeremy Williams)
