Fire service provides update on Ammanford fire investigation

Emergency services were called to College Street at around 8am on August 31 after reports of a fire breaking out at a flat above a nail salon.

Firefighters from five stations attended the incident, and arrived to find the flat above the salon and the roof alight.

Firefighters at the scene tackling the blaze above Sophia Nails. (Image: Stuart Ladd)

The fire crews worked to extinguish the fire, and left the scene at just after 11.30am. Some firefighters remained throughout the day to monitor the building and dampen down any hotspots. The building and a neighbouring property were also cordoned off.

Providing an update on the investigation in to the incident, a Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said that the cause of the fire was not yet known.

“At 8.02am on Saturday, August 31, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ammanford, Amman Valley, Tumble, Pontardawe and Morriston Fire Stations were called to an incident on College Street in Ammanford,” the spokesperson said.

“Crews responded to a fire within a residential property above a commercial property.  The building’s first floor and roof space were well alight on crews’ arrival, with the fire spreading to neighbouring properties. 

“Crews utilised 11 breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, two thermal imaging cameras, one 13.5metre ladder, one seven metre ladder, one turntable appliance used as a water tower and one safety jet to extinguish the fire.

The damage caused inside Sophia Nails by the fire. (Image: Newsquest)

“Crews left the scene at 11.38am, with some crews reattending later that day to monitor and dampen down remaining hotspots.

“This incident required a multi-agency response with Dyfed-Powys Police and the Local Authority also in attendance. 

“The cause of the fire is not yet known.”

A statement from Sophia Nails was issued informing customers that all appointments at the salon would be cancelled for the next week.

The building and neighbouring properties were cordoned off after the fire on Saturday. (Image: Newsquest)

“Dear clients, we’re sorry about cancelling all the appointments today and next week. We’ll contact you soon to reschedule appointments,” it read.

“The fire this morning has damaged our salon a lot. We may have to close for 1-2 weeks for repairs. Once we have any news we will update on Facebook/Insta ASAP. Once again, we are very sorry for this inconvenience.”

Neighbouring business Bangin’ Street Food said they were awaiting a safety inspection by the fire service today (Monday) due to the damage caused to the roof.