Fire breaks out at major tourist attraction as flames rip through building near historic pier

A FIRE broke out at a major tourist attraction where SEVEN fire engines battled to keep it under control.

Flames ripped out near the historical Mumbles Pier in Swansea after a famous former nightclub Cinderella's set alight. 

The blaze started at 11.10am this morning and firefighters fiercely tackled the flames until they were brought under control.

It is thought several people were evacuated from the scene and luckily the pier and arcade have not been damaged so far.

Shocking videos captured the huge plumes of smoke which were visible for miles this afternoon but have since calmed.

A also heard "a large noise which sounded like an explosion" in the area at around 1.30pm. 

Residents were warned to keep their windows and doors closed and avoid the area while crew "worked hard" to fight the flames.

The cause of the inferno is still unknown, but it is believed to have originated from the building which used to home the iconic nightclub Cinderella's until the mid-2000s.

A traditional sweet shop and a community room now sit on the site of the popular club, while a restaurant is also located at this end of the pier.

The two owners of the pier told they "completely devastated" by the horrific incident.

Fred and Bert Bollom said: “As a family, we are completely devastated by today’s fire at Mumbles Pier.

"We are still trying to understand the cause of the fire, but we believe it started to the rear of the former Cinderella’s building and spread throughout the row of buildings on that side of our complex.

"Thankfully, the pier itself and the arcade appear to have escaped any damage from the fire." 

The pair said they were "incredibly grateful" no-one was hurt and thanked the fire service, police and their own team for responding so quickly.

Tourists have always flocked to the Mumbles area of Swansea for its Grade II-listed Victorian pier, which opened in 1898, so locals are upset by its damage.

Tim Holmes who lives in Mumbles told the : "It's a lovely old building and it's been there over 100 years, I would imagine, it's a terrible shame. Really sad."

Cinderella's nightclub which closed at the end of 2005 was a for many locals and party-goers from Swansea.

Revellers who enjoyed a late night pastie from a hatch on site while partying have taken to social media to lament its damage.