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 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Engineers assess lido fire damage | Engineers assess lido fire damage |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Structural engineers will begin assessing the damage to a leisure complex after a fire 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. |
| It is feared the blaze, which burned for over 12 hours, has destroyed much of the Afan Lido in Aberafan. | It is feared the blaze, which burned for over 12 hours, has destroyed much of the Afan Lido in Aberafan. |
| Neath Port Talbot council will hold an emergency meeting later to discuss the future of the "local icon". | Neath Port Talbot council will hold an emergency meeting later to discuss the future of the "local icon". |
| The fire led to homes nearby being evacuated and roads closed after it started at 1650 GMT on Wednesday. | 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. | A lifeguard has told how she saw the fire break out from underneath a fake rock feature and raised the alarm. |
| The fire is said to have started in a fake rock display | The fire is said to have started in a fake rock display |
| Mid and West Wales Fire Service spent the night tackling the fire. Crews remain at the scene, dampening down. No-one has been injured. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. |
| 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 complex, which opened in 1953 with Graham Jenkins, the brother of Hollywood star Richard Burton, as its first manager. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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 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." |
| The council has already pledged to replace the lido if necessary | |
| 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. |
| Councillor Ali Thomas, leader of Neath Port Talbot council paid tribute to the lido's staff for their "prompt, well rehearsed actions which meant that there were no injuries". | |
| "I would also like to thank the local residents for their calmness and co-operation with our officers and emergency services during the incident," he said. | |
| "Local businesses also showed great citizenship, in particular the Apollo Cinema, who provided teas, coffee and hot dogs free of charge to the emergency services." | |
| We asked for your comments about the fire and memories of the lido. Here are a selection of those received. To send further comments and pictures see the form below. | |
| It is a great shame as it was one of the places I went to as a child when there was a lot more there in the 60s and 70s. | It is a great shame as it was one of the places I went to as a child when there was a lot more there in the 60s and 70s. |
| It was one of my enjoyments going for a swim there. I often drive past when visiting the area to see how it has changed - and it certainly has now.J R Jones, Lytham St. Annes | It was one of my enjoyments going for a swim there. I often drive past when visiting the area to see how it has changed - and it certainly has now.J R Jones, Lytham St. Annes |
| its a shame and shock this has happened here in port talbot my son who works on afan fm dj smokey has been told that the radio station has been closed untill further notice this building i have grown up with yet another blow to port talbot vivienne baker, port talbot | its a shame and shock this has happened here in port talbot my son who works on afan fm dj smokey has been told that the radio station has been closed untill further notice this building i have grown up with yet another blow to port talbot vivienne baker, port talbot |
| A large hole could be seen at the Afan Lido after the fire | |
| I just see that this might not be rebuilt unless there is money from the Welsh assembly/goverment because we didn't have enough money to open a 'bowling alley' which is next the Afan lido and now is empty. I think this won't be rebuilt even before next summer unless its sorted out immediatelyRhodri M, Port Talbot | I just see that this might not be rebuilt unless there is money from the Welsh assembly/goverment because we didn't have enough money to open a 'bowling alley' which is next the Afan lido and now is empty. I think this won't be rebuilt even before next summer unless its sorted out immediatelyRhodri M, Port Talbot |
| i can not think where me and my friends will go for football now!ryan mcmurray, port talbot | i can not think where me and my friends will go for football now!ryan mcmurray, port talbot |
| I can't believe one of the main attractions of aberavon beach was up in flames. Drove past the Lido one minuite and it was it usual self - coming home from neath, thick black smoke was spilling from the roof. Such a shame, going to miss it! Jodie Preece, Aberavon seafront | I can't believe one of the main attractions of aberavon beach was up in flames. Drove past the Lido one minuite and it was it usual self - coming home from neath, thick black smoke was spilling from the roof. Such a shame, going to miss it! Jodie Preece, Aberavon seafront |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. | 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 | Such a shame. What will happen to this gig now???Chantelle, Llanelli |
| Did you see the fire? What are your memories of the Afan Lido? 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. | 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. | 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 | Read the Terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | 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 | 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 |