Swansea University chiefs and fire investigators are today picking through the wreckage of a badly damaged Bay Campus building after a raging fire last night.
Flames tore through the roof of the central engineering building of the Fabian Way campus just after 6pm last night with thick black smoke visible right across the city.
Today, investigators are at the campus in an attempt to establish the cause of the blaze, as university chiefs are preparing themselves to assess the long-term impact of fire and water damage in the days ahead.
The Bay Campus opened in 2015 and cost £450 million to build. It is home to around 5,000 students and 1,000 staff.
Nobody was inside the building at the time of the fire.
A Swansea University spokeswoman said: "We do not know the exact cause of the fire yet; the fire service will be mounting an investigation into the cause.
"We will be assessing the long-term impact of the fire and water damage caused in the coming days.
"We're enormously grateful to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for tackling the fire so quickly."
A spokesman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "On Wednesday, August 12, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended a building fire on Swansea University Bay Campus, Fabian Way.
"Joint Fire Control received the first call at 6.08pm.
"Fire appliances from Morriston, Swansea Central, Swansea West, Port Talbot, Gorseinon and a water bowser from Tumble were deployed to the incident.
"The fire was contained within a three-story building, with the first floor, second floor and roof alight. No persons were reported inside the building."
He added: "Firefighters used four breathing apparatus, an aerial appliance and thermal imaging cameras to extinguish the fire. Positive pressure ventilation fans were also used for ventilation.
"Crews remained at scene overnight to monitor the incident.
"An investigation into the cause of the fire commenced this morning."
