Staff 'heartbroken' as firefighters as fire destroys Football Factory sports centre on Avondale Industrial Estate in Cwmbran

Emergency services were called to The Football Factory at the Avondale Industrial Estate on Saturday evening.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) were supported by Gwent Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service after receiving the callout at around 6.50pm.

Fire crews from across Gwent responded to the fire and remained at the scene well into Sunday afternoon.

Residents living near the site were urged to keep their windows shut by SWFRS during the operation.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, while the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that there were no casualties.

Extensive damage was also caused to two other businesses operating out of the unit, Pinnacle Fitness gym and youth initiative Randomz.

Staff at the Football Factory, which boasted indoor football pitches and a bar, took to social media to announce the venue’s indefinite closure.

A statement read: “Due to a large fire at The Football Factory premises, we regret to inform you that we will be closed for the foreseeable future.
“Many thanks to all our loyal customers and we apologise profoundly for any inconvenience to people who have booked with us in the future. Anyone with future bookings/paid deposits will be contacted in due time.
“All of us here at The Football Factory are devastated and heartbroken over this horrific incident.”

Members of the community from across Cwmbran highlighted the venue’s importance to the community. The indoor football pitches were popular among several local schools and amateur football teams.

Jonathan Tattershall, commercial manager at amateur football side Race AFC, said: “We are deeply saddened to have heard the news about the fire at the Football Factory. 
“The senior teams have trained at the facility for the last two years and some of our boys have been using the facilities for a number of years playing within the seven-aside league. 
“It comes as a big shock to the community, as there were so many people, families and sports clubs that use the factory. 
He added: “We hope that the football factory will re-open at a later date, as it was a really convenient venue with friendly staff and great facilities.”

Croesyceiliog AFC took to Twitter to say: “Gutted for the people that own and work at The Football Factory, everyone is safe which is the main thing. Many memories had there.”

Staff at Pinnacle Fitness, the gym affected by the fire, posted a statement on Facebook, which reads: “Due to the terrible incident that took place in the building last night, unfortunately the gym will be closed for the foreseeable future.
“We would like to ensure you that this will not defeat us and we will be back bigger and stronger than before.”

With school half-term approaching next week, the venue was set to host a number of activities for Cwmbran’s youngsters with a football camp scheduled to start on February 20. The loss of the facilities will have a “big social impact” on the youth of the area, according to Torfaen county councillor David Daniels.

The Llantarnam ward member, who lives nearby, said: “It’s hard to quantify something like this but these youth services, as well as the gym, serve such a wide area. It’s going to hit young people quite hard.”
Pontnewydd councillor Stuart Ashley told the Argus that he was “totally shocked” to hear of the news.
He added: “The Football Factory was a much-valued resource in the community.”

Two fundraising pages have been set up by members of the public for The Football Factory and Randomz.
The respective pages can be found at http://tinyurl.com/zb4p9mu, and https://www.gofundme.com/randomz.

UPDATE 3.35pm

More pictures from the site show the full extent of the damage.

Suspected gym equipment at Pinnacle Fitness, which was also gutted by the fire

Firefighters tackling the blaze on Sunday afternoon.

UPDATE 3.33pm

Pontnewydd councillor Stuart Ashley told the Argus that he was "totally shocked" to hear of the news.

He added: "The Football Factory was a much-valued resource in the community."

UPDATE 3.22pm

Extensive damage was also caused to two other businsess operating out of the unit - Pinnacle Fitness gym and youth initiative Randomz.

Staff at Pinnacle Fitness have posted a statement on Facebook, which reads: "Due to the terrible incident that took place in the building last night, unfortunately the gym will be closed for the foreseeable future.

"We at Pinnacle Fitness want to thank all our customers for there continued support over the last two years and especially at this difficult time.

"We would like to ensure you that this will not defeat us and we will be back bigger and stronger than before."

UPDATE 3.13pm

Crews have now left the scene but fire chiefs are due to return to the site for an inspection at 6.30pm.

UPDATE 1.16pm

A South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) spokeswoman has said that they are starting to "scale down" the incident.

Two hydraulic platforms and a specialist appliance remain at teh scene as they continue to dampen down hotspots.

UPDATE 1.08pm

A fundraising page in aid of the Football Factory has been set up by a member of the public.

According to the page, it has been made in a bid to help rebuild the facility and to cover staff wages.

It can be viewed here.

UPDATE 12.37pm

Another picture of last night's blaze submitted by Argus reader Karla Judge-Heales.

UPDATE 11.38am

A picture submitted by Torfaen county councillor David Daniels of the fire unfolding.

UPDATE 10.40am

Fire crews still taking on the blaze as emergency vehicles continue to pour into the site

UPDATE 9.30am

Fire crews continue to battle the fire at the Football Factory sports facility in Cwmbran.

Specialist crews from Aberbargoed and Malpas remain at the scene after services were originally called at 6.49pm last night.

Following the fire on Avondale Ind Est, Cwmbran overnight, residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed. LK

— SW Fire & Rescue (@SWFireandRescue) February 12, 2017

Staff at the venue have taken to social media to speak about their "devastation" as they have been forced to close for the "forseeable future".

A statement reads: "Due to a large fire at The Football Factory premises, we regret to inform you that we will be closed for the foreseeable future.

"Many thanks to all our loyal customers and we apologise profoundly for any inconvenience to people who have booked with us in the future. 
Anyone with future bookings/ paid deposits etc will be contacted in due time.

"All of us here at The Football Factory are devastated and heartbroken over this horrific incident.

"Thank you all for your custom, we will keep you updated when we know more about what's to come."

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FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a fire in Cwmbran tonight.

Six fire engines were sent to Avondale Industrial Estate.

6 fire appliances and 3 specialist appliances currently dealing with a building fire on Avondale Road, Cwmbran LK

— SW Fire & Rescue (@SWFireandRescue) February 11, 2017

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called at around 6.50pm.