One of the first fire engines to arrive at the fire which threatened Mumbles Pier and destroyed several businesses suffered "equipment issues", requiring a mechanic to be sent out. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was investigating the cause of these issues, and added that other appliances were at the scene at the time and continued to deal with the blaze.
Flames decimated the former Cinderella's nightclub, which has been operating as a community space, and the neighbouring Copperfish restaurant. Smoke could be seen for miles. The pier, amusement arcade and Beach Hut cafe were unaffected. At its height there were seven fire engines present on August 31.
It has been suggested to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that water hydrants in the vicinity failed, but the fire service said this was incorrect. It said there were a limited number of hydrants but that they provided the expected level and pressure of water.
Water bowsers carrying thousands of litres of water arrived at the scene from Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd. The fire service said that during the incident they were stood down and replaced by bowsers from Tumble, Carmarthenshire, and Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. The nearest water bowsers to Swansea are stationed in Tumble and Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend, but the fire service said a newly-purchased one will be based at Port Talbot.
Family firm Ameco, which owns Mumbles Pier, has praised the emergency services and staff for their response. Bert Bollom, of Ameco, said: "They went above and beyond and we're really grateful for everyone's effort in it, the police have been wonderful. All my staff, I can't thank them all enough. That said, as a family and as a business we are mortified."
While Copperfish is unable to operate, staff will be relocated to the neighbouring Beach Hut cafe. The fire was extinguished at around 9.30pm on August 31, having started at around 11am. Fire crews from Morriston, Tumble, Swansea Central, Port Talbot, Neath, Carmarthen and Cardigan attended.
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