**Residents Evacuated in Swansea After Blaze Engulfs Communications Mast**
Late-night disruption struck a residential street in Penlan, Swansea, when a communications mast was overtaken by fire, forcing the urgent evacuation of nearby homes. The incident, which unfolded just before the stroke of midnight on Thursday 24 July, prompted a rapid response from emergency services and left several families seeking shelter far from their beds.
Firefighters from both Swansea Central and Morriston fire stations were on the scene at Heol Gwyrosydd by 11:40pm following reports of smoke and flames beside residential properties. The blaze continued into the early hours, with crews working for over three hours to ensure the fire was entirely extinguished and the area rendered safe for local residents.
Eyewitness Judith Richardson, living in proximity to the affected mast, recounted how the night’s calm gave way to flashing emergency lights and visible flames at the base of the tower. “I could see flashing lights—clearly from the fire engine—and at the bottom of the pole, flames were coming through it, with smoke billowing out from the top,” Ms Richardson noted. Although she was close enough to witness the drama, she was not among those asked to leave their homes during the emergency.
As a precaution, emergency personnel ordered the evacuation of four nearby homes whilst the incident was being brought under control. Swansea Council later confirmed that eleven residents—including young children and elderly individuals—were temporarily displaced, highlighting the potential danger posed by the fire and the rapid community response.
Within minutes of the alarm being raised, contingency measures swung into action. Swansea’s Emergency Planning Team established a refuge at Penlan Community Centre, giving shelter and refreshments to those made homeless by the overnight incident. According to a statement from the council, the displaced residents arrived at the centre around 12:45am, remaining there for roughly two hours until it was safe to return home.
In their efforts to tackle the blaze, fire crews employed a range of equipment, including carbon dioxide extinguishers, hose reels, and a primary jet, reflecting the scale and complexity of the challenge posed by an electrical fire at a communications installation. The National Grid swiftly isolated the mast’s power supply to prevent any further risk, while a communications engineer was called in to assess potential technical hazards.
South Wales Police also attended the incident, securing the area and closing off access to Heol Gwyrosydd while emergency operations were ongoing. By the time residents woke to daylight, the road had reopened, but diversions remained in place to facilitate ongoing repair works.
The sight of a burnt-out communications mast served as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in residential settings. Images from the scene captured the charred and visibly damaged remains of the tower, testament to the intensity of the fire and the speed at which such emergencies can escalate.
While the incident ended without reports of injuries, it nevertheless underscored the vital role played by swift, coordinated action from emergency services and local authorities. Council representatives praised the community’s calm and the team’s professionalism, emphasising relief that residents were able to return home safely within a short time frame.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are said to be ongoing. Authorities have thanked local residents for their patience and cooperation, as repairs to the communications mast commence and the community reflects on a late-night shock in an otherwise quiet Swansea suburb. Through it all, the response demonstrated the strong ties and resilience of Penlan, where neighbours and officials alike pulled together under pressure.