Sterry Road in Gowerton remains closed this morning as structural engineers assess the safety of the building gutted by fire on Easter Monday, with police warning there is no timescale for reopening while the risk of collapse remains.
A major fire broke out at the former London and North Western Railway Club on Sterry Road on Monday afternoon, with six fire stations responding and the road closed in both directions. The building’s roof collapsed as a result of the blaze.
A South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday morning that the road closure was still in place and that the building was being assessed for structural safety. The road was “likely to be closed until the building can be made safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no timescale for reopening at that stage.
(Image: Carl Jones)
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now released full details of Monday’s response, which saw crews from six fire stations attend the blaze. Appliances from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West were all called to the incident at 1.13pm.
Crews faced a fire in a derelict three-storey building measuring approximately 25 metres by 14 metres. A turntable ladder was deployed as a water tower, supported by a bowser, two smooth boards, a 45mm hose, four breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets and two safety officers.
The scale of the incident required a full multi-agency response, with structural engineers, the Local Highways Department, South Wales Police, National Grid, the Gas Board and Local Authorities all attending the scene alongside fire crews.
Fire and Rescue crews left the scene at 6.20pm. A reinspection was carried out at 11pm, with remaining hotspots extinguished using a main jet and hose reel jet before officers handed over scene management to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection by Fire and Rescue crews was completed at 8am on Tuesday morning.
South Wales Police have confirmed that a formal fire investigation is not required. The road remained closed overnight due to the ongoing risk of building collapse.
The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof now lost in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.
Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing disruption to the village. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes until further notice.
