Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a major fire in a derelict building in Pontardawe. Fire crews were called to High Street at 12:13am on Wednesday, February 22, following reports of a building on fire and the crews did not leave until 4:15am.
At around 11:30pm, Michael James, 74, said he was called by neighbours and told the building next to his garage, Pontardawe Car Sales, was up in flames and cars there were in imminent danger of being destroyed.
Michael and his son Craig James, 36, rushed to the garage to save £30k of vehicles parked next to the burning building, which was formerly used by DC Autos. After frantically moving a motorhome and three cars, one of which was due to be sold today, they watched as the derelict building was engulfed by the fire while the fire service worked to save a nearby structure. You can get more Swansea Valley news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more: New McDonald's restaurant planned at Pontardawe Tesco site
When the father and son first arrived, they said it looked like sparks of fire were coming out of the chimney of the building. "It was so hot that my son's hair was scorching as he went to move the cars," said Michael, who did not leave the scene until the early hours of the morning. "We were very lucky and the fire service did a fantastic job," he added.
"Luckily, none of our stock or our personal motorhome were damaged," said Michael's son Craig. "I managed to move them all in time in a mad craze. It wakes you up, in times like this you realise you can lose all your livelihood in minutes. I'm so glad nobody was killed and the fire service were fantastic. So were the residents near our dealership who were frantically calling me so I could save our stock."
The derelict building, which contained five gas cylinders, was totally destroyed, said a spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. He said crews extinguished and prevented escalation of the fire by using a thermal imaging camera, a turntable ladder and four hose reel jets. The Pontardawe crew re-attended the scene to extinguish embers and hot spots.
Neighbourhood police inspector Lindsey Sweeney said: "South Wales Police was called just before 00.30am this morning by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service with a report of a fire at the Old Brewery on High Street in Pontardawe.
“Three teenagers - one boy aged 15 and two girls aged 15 and 14 - have been arrested on suspicion of arson and are currently in police custody. Inquiries are continuing into the exact circumstances of the incident.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting occurrence number 2300058935.
Read next:
- Players descend on hotel to face bosses in decisive day for Welsh rugby
- Inside the spooky derelict and dangerous house that comes with a chapel, hall and graveyard for just £55k
- Dad trying to renovate a historic Welsh chapel while fighting cancer
- The Welsh Indian restaurants named among UK's best in brand new curry awards
- Boy found dead by mum had contracted strep A infection
