A MAJOR fire broke out in the Nixonville area of Merthyr Vale this morning, engulfing the iconic Gordon Lennox Club, which had been a cherished social hub for the community before its closure. The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service swiftly responded to the emergency, with firefighting crews from Merthyr, Treharris, Pontypridd, and Cardiff Central currently on the scene.
The alarm was raised at approximately 6:20 am on Saturday morning when authorities received reports of the blaze. Due to the sheer volume of smoke emanating from the fire, residents in the vicinity have been urged to keep their doors and windows closed for their safety.
In a Twitter post, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service informed the public about the ongoing situation, stating, “Crews from Merthyr, Treharris, Pontypridd & Cardiff Central are in attendance at a fire in the Nixonville area. Due to the amount of smoke, we are advising residents in the area to keep doors and windows closed.” The scale of the inferno has required the use of cranes to combat the blaze effectively.
Local residents have expressed their grief and shock over the incident, recalling the significance of the Gordon Lennox Club in the community. Andrew Challis, a resident of the area, lamented, “It’s so heartbreaking to see this happen to such an iconic and poignant local building and staple of the community which holds a lot of dear memories for so many.”
Councillor Scott Thomas, upon learning of the fire, rushed to the scene and witnessed the extent of the damage firsthand. “When I woke up, I saw people sharing videos of it on social media,” he recounted. “I drove passed it on my way to work this morning, and all I could see was this massive cloud of smoke.”
Councillor Thomas also shared his personal connection with the establishment, recalling fond memories of visiting the club with his family on his GCSE result day back in 2004. He expressed deep sorrow for the loss of the cherished local landmark, stressing its significance to the community. “It’s been closed for a long time now. As a local councillor, this is clearly devastating for the community. It’s so sad for the nearby residents, in particular, having to witness such an iconic building being destroyed,” he said.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and authorities are conducting investigations to assess the full extent of the damage. The fire continues to pose a significant challenge to firefighters who are working tirelessly to bring it under control.
(Image: Darren Roberts/Facebook)
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