GOWER: Health club gutted as fire tears through Parkmill complex overnight

A well-known Gower health club has been destroyed by a fire that burned through Friday night, with residents evacuated from homes yards away.

Images taken from the air on Saturday morning show Langrove Health Club at Parkmill reduced to a shell. The roof has gone completely, leaving the charred remains of roof beams open to the sky, and smoke was still rising from the wreckage hours after the last crews left.

Only the outer walls appear to be standing.

The photographs also show how close the fire came to neighbouring properties, with residential bungalows sitting a matter of feet from the gutted building on both sides.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called at 8.27pm on Friday, and the last crews did not leave until 7.18am on Saturday, almost 11 hours later.

The fire began in the club’s sauna room before spreading to the rest of the complex, the service said.

Ten crews were sent, drawn from across Swansea and well beyond: Swansea Central, Swansea West, Gorseinon, Reynoldston, Morriston, Llanelli, Cymmer, Amman Valley, Port Talbot and Tumble.

In a statement, the fire service said: “The crews responded to a fire in the sauna room, which then spread to the rest of the complex.

“Crew members worked through the night to bring the fire under control and protect surrounding properties, using main jets, hose reel jets and a turntable ladder.”

Three water bowsers were also sent to the scene, a common requirement in rural Gower where mains water supplies for firefighting are limited.

Residents were evacuated during the night, with emergency housing arranged for them.

Gwyn Williams, the Plaid Cymru member for Gŵyr Abertawe, said the club was more than a gym to the people who used it.

“We are saddened to hear about the fire that broke out at the Langrove Health Club yesterday,” he said.

“The Langrove has long been an essential part of community life in the area, not solely a health and fitness club but also an irreplaceable space for community, connection, and support for so many nearby residents.

“Our thoughts are with the Langrove team and all of those to whom the Health Club means so very much.”

Langrove sits off the A4118 at Fairwood, on the edge of Parkmill, and is a private members’ club with a gym, heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room. The wider Langrove Country Club site also includes residential bungalows, let on longer-term agreements.

The club had been at capacity in recent years, with a waiting list for membership.

The cause of the fire has not been given.

South Wales Police and the club have been approached for comment.

The fire comes at the end of a punishing week for the service, which has been dealing with major wildfires elsewhere in its area, including a major incident declared at Rhandirmwyn near Llandovery.