Young children were quickly evacuated from a Welsh primary school as a fire ripped through the building. Staff working the Lots of Tots holiday club at the Awel Y Mor Primary School in Port Talbot, Wales, have been praised for their swift action in ensuring the youngsters got to safety as the building went up in flames.
Fire crews respond to blaze
Fire crews rushed to the scene just after 10am on Wednesday morning as flames and thick black plumes of smoke was seen billowing from the windows. Dozens of children were attending for the Lots of Tots club during the summer holidays. The group will be cancelled for the rest of the week as a result of the fire, Wales Online reports.
A post from the group said thanked staff "for their calm and professional evacuation of the children". A video shows flames billowing from a window of the primary school, where scaffolding is currently erected.
Firefighters bring blaze under control
Firefighters from Port Talbot, Neath Swansea Central, Morriston and Swansea West Fire Stations worked to bring the blaze under control, before leaving the scene at around 12.45pm. A spokeswoman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 10.10am on Wednesday, July 22, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Port Talbot, Neath Swansea Central, Morriston and Swansea West Fire Stations were called to an incident at Awel Y Mor Primary School, Port Talbot. Crews responded to a fire within Sandwich Panels of the school. Crews utilised four breathing apparatus sets and two hose reel jets, turntable ladder and water bowser to extinguish the fire. Crews left the scene at 12.43pm."
A post from the Lots of Tots group read: "Following the fire in the main school building, we’ll remain closed for the rest of this week. We’ll assess the damage and plan for the safe return of children and staff to the undamaged playgroup. A reopening date or decision can’t be made until a full assessment is complete. Finally, a massive thank you to the staff for their calm and professional evacuation of the children and ensuring everyone’s safety."
Neath Port Talbot Council has been approached for comment.
