The fire destroyed the former school’s annex.
The school had been derelict and unused for some time following the opening of a new school at Parc y Werin in 2020, that combined the previously separate Infants and Junior schools onto one site.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 3.04pm on Friday, September 20th, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, Morriston, Swansea Central, Port Talbot and Pontardawe Fire Stations were called to an incident at the former Gorseinon Primary School building.
“Crews responded to a fire within an annex measuring approximately 15 metres by 30 metres. At the height of the incident, four fire engines and one water bowser were at the scene, working with partner agencies including South Wales Police and the Local Authority.
“Crews utilised two hose reel jets, two main jets, two breathing apparatus sets and small gear to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to the main school building. The annex’s roof collapsed because of the fire and the remaining structure is unsafe. The fire was started deliberately.
“Crews left the scene at 8.03pm.”
The fire service spokesperson added: “Arson is a serious criminal offence which can potentially cause large-scale damage and even loss of life. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has a variety of arson reduction and fire setting prevention programmes to protect the communities it serves.”
A spokesperson from South Wales Police said: “Officers attended the scene of a fire at the derelict former Gorseinon Primary School building on Pontarddulais Road in Gorseinon shortly after 3pm on Friday. PCSOs managed the cordon at the scene and redirected traffic whilst the fire service attended to the fire. An invtestigation into this incident is currently ongoing.”
(Lead image: Liam Matthews Photography)
