SWX fire: Investigations continue into Bristol nightclub blaze

Crews were called to the scene just after 04:30 BST

Investigators are trying to establish the cause of a fire that tore through a nightclub the week before it was due to reopen to a sell-out crowd.

The blaze at SWX on Nelson Street in Bristol began shortly after 04:30 BST.

Avon Fire and Rescue said that 10 fire crews were battling the flames at the peak of the fire.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said it was "such sad news for Bristol's night time economy" as the industry seeks to recover from a tough year.

Fire investigators remain on the scene but the cause of the blaze is not yet known, Avon Fire and Rescue said.

'Devastating'

SWX owner Dominic Madden, from London said: "It's devastating for us, it's devastating for the team because they're superb and it's devastating for Bristol's nightlife and the night-time economy.

"We host over 250 to 300 shows a year. I bought it in 2017 when it was a nightclub and we created a live music venue that is nationally and internationally recognized.

"We managed to get through the difficulties of Covid and were ready to open on Monday and this terrible fire has happened."

The nightclub has capacity for about 2,000 people attending live music events

He thanked firefighters and police for their "heroic efforts", adding the damage would have been much worse.

Station manager Gareth Lloyd said 10 fire engines were called in.

He said: "If you think about a nightclub and how they're laid out, a three-storey nightclub, they're dark, they're full of mirrors, there are access issues, cubby holes.

"They're really difficult buildings to get into and also difficult to search.

"It's a significant task when you've got a significant fire at the same time."

The club had planned to re-open on 19 July and all tickets had sold out

He said there were no reported casualties and the building was being damped down.

Neighbouring buildings are unaffected and a fire investigation is under way.

A government announcement confirmed nightclubs could reopen from Monday.

The club would have been closed for 464 days ahead of Monday's re-opening.

Mr Madden said much of the fire damage seemed to have been limited to the foyer, staircase and box office and there was no structural damage, to his knowledge.

The owner, who also runs nightclub in Brixton, London, said they would spend the next few days assessing the damage and plan for when the club could re-open.

The club in Bristol employs about 120 full-time and part-time staff.