SWX fire: Photographs show devastating aftermath after blaze gutted iconic club

Pictures have emerged showing the massive damage caused to Bristol’s SWX nightclub by a blaze that has raged throughout the day.

And SWX owner has now spoken of his anguish after the iconic’s club reopening has had to delayed due to the inferno.

The blaze was first reported shortly after 4.30am (July 13), with emergency services having been on the scene throughout the day.

READ MORE: SWX fire cause ‘unknown’: Latest on blaze in Bristol city centre

Videos from earlier in the day showed smoke billowing over Bristol as the fire continued to burn at the nightclub on Nelson Street.

Pictures have now emerged in the aftermath of the blaze showing the blackened and gutted frontage of the club, with sheets of blackened wood and metal having been piled outside the property.

SWX issued a statement earlier saying that it was “devastated” by the fire and the damage caused but thanking people for their “love and support”.

Its owner, Dominic Madden, has also spoken of his sadness at the venue being hit by the fire just days before its re-opening following months of closure, but still said that “the show will go on”.

He said: “It saddens me and all our loyal music fans that just a matter of days before the full reopening a fire has delayed the much-anticipated return to live music and club events.

“If it was not for the heroic efforts of the Avon Fire & Rescue Service with the support of Avon & Somerset Police the damage would have been much worse and I would like to thank them all for their help.

“The management team and I at the iconic SWX will spend the next 48 hours assessing the damage and then begin to plan for when the doors can finally reopen – the show will go on!”

SWX was formerly known as Papillons, The Works, Top Rank, Baileys, Romeo and Juliets, Odyssey and Syndicate. Its frontage is visibly blackened and damaged.

The latest update from Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the cause was currently believed to be unknown.

The statement issued this afternoon said: “Earlier today we issued an update on the Nelson Street incident, initially believing the cause of the fire to be deliberate ignition.

“However, our fire investigators are currently on site and the cause is actually unknown at this time.

“As soon as the investigation concludes we will share any updates with you. The road remains closed and we thank you for your ongoing cooperation.”

Crews from stations including Temple, Bedminster, Southmead, Patchway, Avonmouth, and Hicks Gate were on the scene at Nelson Street throughout today (July 13).

Avon and Somerset Police have also issued a statement, confirming the building was being examined by crime scene investigators and calling on anyone who may have any information about the fire to come forward.

The statement said: “At 4.35am this morning we responded to a large fire at a building on Nelson Street, Bristol.

“Road closures were put in place around the area while the fire service extinguished the fire.

“The fire service has reported the cause is thought to be deliberate ignition and we will now carry out an investigation into the incident.

“As part of our inquiry, specialist crime scene investigators will examine the building while CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed.

“Anyone with information which could help us is asked to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5221157462.”

Nelson Street currently remains closed and it is unknown when it will re-open.

Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android (Bristol)