Fire at Swansea Coastguard

On December 27, a severe fire broke out at Swansea Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at approximately in their Business unit. The fire was discovered by staff on the night watch at Swansea, the local Fire Brigade was called. The building was evacuated and all operational facilities were transferred immediately to Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The fire was brought under control by South Wales Fire Brigade and damage was assessed. Police were in attendance Angie Smith, District Regional Press Officer, Milford Haven Coastguard, says: The Business unit at Swansea is now gutted, however no fire damage has been sustained elsewhere in the building, although smoke, dust damage and toxic fumes are affecting other parts of the building including the Operations Room. All operations that are run from the Operations Room at Swansea are now being run from Milford Haven. This does not affect operations at all, as the two stations are paired, and due to the Integrated Coastguard Communications System (ICCS) it allows all communications to be run from another station, as is the case now. Fortunately operations wise, the past 24 hours have been relatively quiet for both stations.