Huge fire damages the Cleddau Bridge Hotel overnight

The huge fire broke out at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel last night, with emergency services in attendance from 2.49am.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue group manager David Hancock said: "When we arrived there was a very well-developed fire in the rear of the building on the elevation that faces towards the river.

"It was well-developed on the ground floor and in the roof space. It had obviously been developing for some time."

The fire as seen from Neyland this morning.

A local resident said they thought the fire had started at around 2.30 in the morning.

Mr Hancock of MAWW Fire said a total of seven fire engines had been at the hotel throughout the night, with the initial crews coming from Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Tenby and Haverfordwest.

A high volume water pump was also brought in from Ammanford, a high level engine was called in from Swansea, and another fire crew from Aberyswyth was also called but later stood down.

Mr Hancock said half of the building had been damaged by the fire with most of the blaze having taken place in the northern and western side.

"It is too early to tell at the moment what the cause was.

"A full investigation will be conducted with police and fire later on with a view to establish the cause," said Mr Hancock.

A high level fire engine fighting the fire this morning. PICTURE: Jordan Dowson - Pure West Radio Presenter

Police blocked off Essex Road during part of the night, and a road closure is still in place today.

According to eye witnesses, the road is closed from the bridge to the mini roundabout in Llanion at the top of Treymerick street outside the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offices.

The police have been in touch with the owners of the former hotel, the Kular family, throughout the night, to update them on the fire.

The fire service expects to remain at the hotel until this afternoon, and has started sending fire crews back to their local stations.

Police and council vehicles at the road block this morning.

Last week a historic cannon was stolen from the grounds of the hotel, and was returned this week after being tracked down by a PCSO.

The cannon is still in the grounds of the hotel, and does not appear to have been damaged by the fire.

This story is updating.

Do you have photographs of last night's fire? Email them to dly@westerntelegraph.co.uk or message the Western Telegraph on Facebook