CHILDREN EVACUATED AS FIRE BREAKS OUT AT PORT TALBOT PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dozens of young children were evacuated from Awel Y Mor Primary School in Port Talbot, Wales, on Wednesday morning after a fire broke out in the building. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the scene at 10.10am after flames and thick black smoke were seen billowing from windows. The children were attending the Lots of Tots holiday club, which was being held in a separate part of the school during the summer holidays. Staff at the club were praised for their swift and professional evacuation of all youngsters.

Firefighters from Port Talbot, Neath Swalsea Central, Morriston and Swansea West Fire Stations responded to the incident. According to a spokeswoman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, crews tackled a fire within sandwich panels of the school using four breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, a turntable ladder and a water bowser. The fire was brought under control and crews left the scene at 12.43pm. The building had scaffolding erected at the time of the fire.

The Lots of Tots holiday club will remain closed for the rest of the week following the incident. A statement from the group said staff would assess the damage and plan for the safe return of children and staff to the undamaged playgroup, with a reopening date to be determined once a full assessment is complete. The club thanked staff "for their calm and professional evacuation of the children and ensuring everyone's safety".