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Wales Online
2 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
New images reveal scale of fire damage to Welsh beauty spot hotel
New images reveal scale of fire damage to Welsh beauty spot hotel Police are investigating the cause of the fire Drone pictures show the devastating damage caused to the Worms Head Hotel (Image: DTDS ) Drone pictures have captured the scale of the devastating damage caused to the Worm's Head Hotel. A huge blaze took hold at the family-run business, based at Rhossili in Gower in the early hours of the morning. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, but they have said it is not thought to have been deliberate. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident just before 1am, sending crews from six stations. Firefighters found "significant damage" had been caused to the building. Now these pictures, taken by Drone Tour DS, show the devastating aftermath. A fire service statement read: "At 12.51am on Monday, July 14, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Reynoldston, Swansea West, Port Talbot, Morriston, Swansea Central and Gorseinon Fire Stations were called to the scene of a large-scale at the Worm's Head Hotel in Rhossili. "Crews responded to a fire within the property's accommodation block, which spread to the block's entire roof space. "Crews utilised a turntable ladder appliance as a water tower, a water bowser, two water jets, one hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus sets to fight the fire. The fire was extinguished at around 5.30am." Fire crews attended just before 1am on Monday morning (Image: DTDS ) Article continues below The fire service added: "No casualties were reported and all occupants were accounted for. After extinguishing the fire, crews monitored for remaining hot spots using thermal imaging cameras and continued to dampen down at the scene, with the last crews leaving at 9.32am. "The property has been significantly damaged by the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been identified. "This incident required a multi-agency response, with South Wales Police also in attendance." The cause of the fire has still not been identified (Image: DTDS ) A statement from South Wales Police read: ""The cause of the fire is currently being investigated but at this time is not thought to have been deliberate." Owner of the pub, Julian Short said he was in the dark as to how the fire started. Article continues below But he told WalesOnline: "The alarms went off after midnight when everything was closed and the fire was clearly in the bin area at the rear."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
'I woke up at midnight to find my hotel in flames'
'I woke up at midnight to find my hotel in flames' Julian Short is trying his best to remain positive after the fire devastated the popular pub at renowned Welsh beauty spot Fire ripped through the Worm's Head Hotel, Rhossili (Image: Nicholas Dickerson ) The owner of a popular pub at a renowned beauty spot has spoken for the first time since a huge fire gutted the family-run business. Julian Short confirmed that they still had no idea how the fire at the Worm's Head Hotel and The Causeway started in the early hours of Monday morning. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, but they have said it is not thought to have been deliberate. Mr Short said he woke up at around midnight to the sight of his hotel up in flames. He says he has no idea what caused the fire, but said it looked like it had started "behind the hotel in the bin area." "The alarms went off after midnight when everything was closed and the fire was clearly in the bin area at the rear," Mr Short told WalesOnline. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here A statement from the hotel said: "Everyone's safe. Thank you for your well wishes. The bar and hotel will be closed pending future updates." The local community has flooded the family with messages of support, expressing how they are shocked and saddened to see the "iconic" Gower business in ruins. Article continues below The fire service continuing to tackle the blaze at the Worm's Head Hotel (Image: David Pullman ) The owner of the Worm's Head Hotel, Julian Short, also owns The Causeway Fellow family-run bar the King's Head has issued a statement describing how the events overnight are "truly heart-breaking for any family run business." Their statement says: "Our hearts go out to our friends at the Worm's Head Hotel following the devastating fire. Just as the summer holidays begin, this is truly heartbreaking for any family-run business. "If there's anything we can do to support you-please don't hesitate to reach out. We're thinking of you all and sending strength in the days ahead." Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park described the hotel and restaurant as 'iconic Gower business'. They say they are "absolutely gutted" at the news. "We are absolutely gutted for the Wormshead Hotel who suffered a devastating fire yesterday which has ripped through this iconic Gower business. So sad for the family who run this place and all the team," said a spokesperson for Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park. "Hoping that they can reopen as soon as possible and we will be there when it reopens. No better place in the world to watch a Gower sunset. Please show some love to them." Another neighbouring business, a café called The View, added: Though despite the unfortunate loss, Mr Short remains optimistic about the hotel's future. "Where there's a disappointment, there's an opportunity. And we can redo this in a different way," he said. A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire Service confirmed they were called to the blaze at around 1am on June 14, confirming the hotel has been significantly damaged by the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. (Image: Nicholas Dickerson ) They issued the following statement: "At 12.51am on Monday, July 14, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Reynoldston, Swansea West, Port Talbot, Morriston, Swansea Central and Gorseinon Fire Stations were called to the scene of a large-scale at the Worm's Head Hotel in Rhossili. "Crews responded to a fire within the property's accommodation block, which spread to the block's entire roof space. Crews utilised a turntable ladder appliance as a water tower, a water bowser, two water jets, one hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus sets to fight the fire. The fire was extinguished at around 5.30am. "No casualties were reported and all occupants were accounted for. "After extinguishing the fire, crews monitored for remaining hot spots using thermal imaging cameras and continued to dampen down at the scene, with the last crews leaving at 9.32am. "The property has been significantly damaged by the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been identified. "This incident required a multi-agency response, with South Wales Police also in attendance." Firefighters have been called back to re-inspect the site of the fire, after witnesses saw smoke coming from the building. A spokesperson for South Wales Police added: "Officers were called to the Worm's Head Hotel, Rhossili, Swansea at 1:30am today (Monday July 14) following a report of a fire. "The Fire Service extinguished the fire, which caused significant damage to the building. "The cause of the fire is currently being investigated but at this time is not thought to have been deliberate." Police investigators remain at the site at this time. Article continues below
