Emergency
services have been tackling a blaze at Mumbles pier.
Fire
crews and ambulances from around Swansea were called to the scene just after
01:00 BST on Saturday. Mumbles lifeboat was also launched.
Investigations
are not complete but early reports from police suggest the fire may have been
caused by a spark from a blowtorch. The Victorian pier is undergoing work as
part of a major refurbishment project including a new £9.5m lifeboat station.
John
Bollom, the managing director of AMECO Ltd who own the pier, stated that old
wooden decking area has been damaged, but the main structure is fine.
“I
suspect that smouldering fragments were whipped up by the wind. Luckily, the
fire was contained to the pier head”, he explained.
He did
not think that construction work would be unduly affected although contractors
had yet to make a full assessment. He praised the actions of fire crews and the
lifeboat who doused the structure from offshore with water cannon.
"As things stand, we
remain on schedule to meet the key deadlines work can recommence once the site
is cleared”, stated Mr Bollom.
