'Incense burning' behind tower block evacuation in Swansea
Fire service confirms false alarm after smoke was seen coming from the 14th floor
Last updated 20th Jan 2023
Emergency services have confirmed that the evacuation of a high-rise tower block in Swansea was caused by a false alarm.
Earlier, fire crews were scrambled, and the roads surrounding The Tower in the town's Maritime Quarter were closed, after reports of smoke being seen from the 14th floor.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident was a false alarm, with the smoke caused by someone burning incense.
In a statement, the Service said:
"At 11.22am on Friday, January 20th , crews from Swansea Central, Morriston, Gorseinon, Port Talbot, Neath, Llanelli, Ammanford, Tumble and Carmarthen were called to an incident at the Meridian Tower, Maritime Quarter, Swansea.
"Smoke in a corridor on the 14th floor had been reported. Crews followed full high-rise procedure and conducted an external thermal scan of the building.
"The Grape and Olive restaurant was evacuated.
"The incident was a false alarm caused by incense burning.
"The road near the tower was closed by the Police.
"Crews left the scene 1.05pm."
At 107 metres, The Tower, Meridian Quay, is the tallest building in Wales.