This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/8417484.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Emergency meeting over lido fire Engineers assess lido fire damage
(about 1 hour later)
An emergency council meeting has been called after a blaze at a leisure complex which was tackled by more than 100 firefighters. Structural engineers will begin assessing the damage to a leisure complex after a fire which was tackled by more than 100 firefighters.
The fire at the Afan Lido in Port Talbot led to homes nearby being evacuated and roads closed. It is feared the blaze, which burned for over 12 hours, has destroyed much of the Afan Lido in Aberafan.
Mid and West Wales Fire Service spent the night tackling the fire, which began on Wednesday evening. Crews remain at the scene, dampening down. Neath Port Talbot council will hold an emergency meeting later to discuss the future of the "local icon".
The extent of the damage remains unclear. No-one was injured. The fire led to homes nearby being evacuated and roads closed after it started at 1650 GMT on Wednesday.
A lifeguard has told how she saw the fire break out from underneath a fake rock feature and raised the alarm.
Mid and West Wales Fire Service spent the night tackling the fire, which began on Wednesday evening. Crews remain at the scene, dampening down. No-one has been injured.
The fire is said to have started in a fake rock display
The extent of the damage remains unclear but BBC Wales' Tom Singleton, said that, while there was a blackened hole in the front of the building, the fire service had told him the majority of the damage was inside.
Councillor Mike James, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure and tourism at Neath Port Talbot, who is also chair of the Celtic Leisure Trust body in charge of the lido, said it appeared the main structure of the building had been destroyed.
He described the building as an "icon" which dominated the Aberafan seafront and pledged that it would either be rebuilt or replaced.
"That's a guarantee from Neath Port Talbot [council]. The future of the Aberafan seafront with an Afan Lido-style complex there in the future," he said.
Neath Port Talbot council will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the fire, which is not being treated as suspicious.Neath Port Talbot council will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the fire, which is not being treated as suspicious.
We whistled at him and said, 'there's a fire, quick, run!' Justine Jones, lifeguard, to the sole swimmer as the fire broke out It has already promised to repair or replace the complex, which opened in 1953 with Graham Jenkins, the brother of Hollywood star Richard Burton, as its first manager.
It has already promised to repair or replace the building on the same site.
Meanwhile, Tywyn Primary School in adjacent Channel View is to close on Thursday following the fire but is expected to re-open on Friday.Meanwhile, Tywyn Primary School in adjacent Channel View is to close on Thursday following the fire but is expected to re-open on Friday.
I spotted the fire in the poolside. There is a feature temple and fake rocks and the smoke was coming from inside the rocks Lifeguard Justine Jones
Fire crews were unable to enter the the leisure centre in the Sandfields estate once the flames broke through the roof.Fire crews were unable to enter the the leisure centre in the Sandfields estate once the flames broke through the roof.
At the height of the blaze, 17 fire vehicles were deployed, including three aerial appliances.At the height of the blaze, 17 fire vehicles were deployed, including three aerial appliances.
Fire crews have remained at the scene overnight.
Lido lifeguard Justine Jones, 19, was one of four staff on duty at the poolside and was the person who raised the alarm.Lido lifeguard Justine Jones, 19, was one of four staff on duty at the poolside and was the person who raised the alarm.
She said she saw fire break out from underneath a fake rock feature. The council has already pledged to replace the lido if necessary
More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze
She told the BBC News website: "I spotted the fire in the poolside. There is a feature temple and fake rocks and the smoke was coming from inside the rocks.She told the BBC News website: "I spotted the fire in the poolside. There is a feature temple and fake rocks and the smoke was coming from inside the rocks.
"I heard a 'pop' and there was smoke and flames everywhere. It was coming from the bottom by the slides.""I heard a 'pop' and there was smoke and flames everywhere. It was coming from the bottom by the slides."
Ms Jones, who has worked at the lido for two-and-a-half years, said there was only one person swimming at the time but it took them a moment to attract his attention.Ms Jones, who has worked at the lido for two-and-a-half years, said there was only one person swimming at the time but it took them a moment to attract his attention.
"We whistled at him and said, 'there's a fire, quick, run!'""We whistled at him and said, 'there's a fire, quick, run!'"
They checked the changing area before leaving. She added: "All the staff got their heads together and acted fast."They checked the changing area before leaving. She added: "All the staff got their heads together and acted fast."
Ms Jones said the building had fortunately been very quiet at the time the fire started.Ms Jones said the building had fortunately been very quiet at the time the fire started.
Her car keys and personal belongings are still inside the building, and she had to leave her car parked outside.Her car keys and personal belongings are still inside the building, and she had to leave her car parked outside.
The lido opened 53 years ago
The fire prompted a torrent of responses by e-mail from people who witnessed it. We asked for your comments about the fire. Here are a selection of those received. To send further comments and pictures see the form below.
Lisa, of Baglan, called it "a huge loss for Port Talbot. I hope the damage isn't as bad as I'm hearing." Have just left the Afan Lido and seeing the amount of black smoke coming from the roof, I am so glad nobody has been hurt. Secondly, I applaud the workforce at the Afan Lido, I know them all well and after speaking to a few, one of their concerns was the swimming club and the other clubs and how will this affect everyone.
Gerallt, of Rhos, said: "The smoke and light from the Aquadome can be seen from up here (about 15-20 miles away). The smell is being carried across the air towards us. Hope everyone down there is safe." As one of a team of volunteer swimming teachers with Aberavon Swimming Club based in the aquadome, it's a devastation for the community and surounding areas living by the sea, we may once again lose our swimming pool.Peter, Port Talbot
Alun Hemington-Gorse, of Porthcawl, said: "Really sad, a great resource in a deprived area- we take our daughter swimming there every week. It will be missed." Stunned by the news.I used to swim at the lido with my father back in the early 1970's.How will the council now repair/resite such an icon of the community?:( Edward wain, Findon,West Sussex
Can't belive the Lido has gone up in smoke! a tradegy for the community, my children have learnt to swin there, lets hop the council re-build it really quick!Karen Davies, Port Talbot
I was only training there yesterday. I was on my way swimming when i found out it was on fire. Where can our swimming squad go now ? rhys williams, neath
Absolutely gutted - was due to watch Lost Prophets and Kids in Glass Houses there in March.
Such a shame. What will happen to this gig now???Chantelle, Llanelli
Did you see the fire? Send us your pictures or comments.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
You can also send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the Terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions