But the Fire Brigades Union said the comments sent out the wrong message and did not fully explain the role of fixed sprinkler systems.
"We are by no means undermining the usefulness of sprinklers, as they have an important role to play, just as smoke alarms in domestic properties," an FBU spokesman told the Llanelli Star.
“We feel that without [firefighters’] fast response and dynamic actions in the early stages of the fire, then it is likely it would have had devastating consequences for the commercial centre of Llanelli."
He continued: "The fire in Asda demonstrated the requirement for both the sprinkler system, which prevented vertical fire spread, and the rapid response of the local fire crews, which prevented further horizontal fire spread, saving further damage to the store and Elli Centre and making the building safe."
The FBU spokesman also told the Star that Mr Margetts’s comments came as a shock to crews, as they had been highly praised for their actions in private.
According to the Star, an 18-year-old man has been arrested and remains on police bail in connection with the incident which caused an estimated £200,000 worth of damage.
