The fire service say that three of their fire crews were called to the derelict building on Saturday evening (17 May) and needed to use a whole host of specialist equipment to extinguish the fire, which took 4 hours to put out.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and rescue Service said: “At 4.37pm on Saturday, May 17th, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Morriston, Neath and Pontardawe Fire Stations were called to an incident at Lonlas Avenue in Skewen.
“Crews responded to a fire within a single-storey derelict building measuring approximately 50 metres by 15 metres, formerly used as a youth and welfare club. Crews utilised hose reel jets, main jets, breathing apparatus sets, thermal imaging cameras, respirators, small tools, positive pressure ventilation fans, water hydrants and a turntable ladder appliance to extinguish the fire.
“It is believed that this fire was started deliberately.
“Crews left the scene at 8.43pm.”
The fire is the latest in a string of deliberately-set building and grass fires set across the region, with the fire service and police issuing a joint statement warning of the dangers of setting fires and the consequences for people caught doing so.
Many famous footballers ,rugby and cricketers came out of that club