PENARTH Leisure Centre’s swimming pool and health suite are edging closer to finally being reopened.

Both of them have been closed for the last six months after an accidental electrical fire broke out in the sauna back in February.

The fire, which led to the whole building being evacuated on a Sunday night, was said to have caused “extensive damage” to both the pool and sauna area.

Nobody was injured or suffered smoke inhalation from the fire, but some people were forced to evacuate the building whilst still in their swimming bathers.

An extensive clean-up operation began as there was smoke damage throughout the building.

Parts of the leisure centre were also closed at the time, including the main hall, squash courts, dance studios and gym facilities, but all were reopened a short time later.

The swimming pool has now been drained and work has begun to repair the areas that have been most damaged.

No dates have been given for official opening times yet, but it is hoped that both facilities can be back in use as soon as possible as work reaches the “last stage”

A spokesman from Parkwood Community Leisure, which operates Penarth Leisure Centre on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said:

“Having completed work to reopen areas of the centre that were least affected by the fire, work has now progressed to the pool area and health suite which suffered the most damage.

“The pool has been drained and scaffolding has been erected throughout the pool hall to enable this last stage of the centre refurbishment to be carried out.

“We will be issuing further updates to ensure customers are informed when the pool and health suite are ready to reopen.”