A major fire broke out on High Street Swansea.

Firefighters were called and police and ambulance both attended.

Video from the scene shows flames ripping through the top floors of a tower block building which is being redeveloped into student housing.

This video shows the fire

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Writing on Twitter at 6.56pm, Christina Thomas said that the fire appeared to be getting worse.

She posted photographs showing flames at the top of the building and black and white smoke rising into the sky.

The new i Chi Ban restaurant, which is opposite Alexander House confirmed there were fire engines in attendance.

A manager said: "Our delivery driver has just come back and told us there is large fire nearby. We're keeping the door closed so can't see anything from where we are."

The Grand Hotel which is next to Alexander House also confirmed there were several fire engines on the scene."

We understand that firefighters climbed the scaffolding stairs to put out the blaze.

The scene at Alexandra House, Swansea, at 7.20pm
The scene at Alexandra House, Swansea, at 7.20pm

After the flames were extinguished, eye witness Chloe Hardman said that a couple of firefighters remained behind with flashlights investigating.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We received a call at 18.44pm and have received lots of calls since then.

“It was not as serious as we first thought, but there were four pumps called out who are in attendance.”

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Chloe Hardman, who lives in the flats opposite, said they had seen people on the roof.

She said: “Around 6.45pm we rang the fire brigade.

“They arrived extremely quickly which is amazing as it could have been much worse.

“My girlfriend saw people on the roof and we’ve seen a couple of suicide attempts before so we were concerned it was a person in need.

“Moments [after we saw the people on the roof] the fire started.”

Matt Jopling, who works at The Grand Hotel opposite Alexandra House said the fire was now under control and there were police in attendance who had blocked one side of the road off and were diverting traffic in the area.

He said: “There are two police cars blocking off one end of the road and there is a one way system going through High Street.

“There are also two ambulances in attendance although I’ve not seen anyone being treated.

“There have been fire engines coming and going for the last hour and quite a big crowd formed, but everything has died down now as the fire is under control.

“Alexander House is being converted into student accommodation, nobody has moved in yet, but I have a friend who works for Virgin Atlantic in the building next door and they were evacuated as a precaution. Although they are allowed back in now.”