Club vows to come back stronger
Inferno devastates‘heart of the community’
A fundraiser has been launched after a blaze ripped through Newarthill Amateur Boxing Club.
Fire crews raced to the incident on Mosshall Street around 7am on Monday, July 27.
The building, which was razed to the ground, has been described as “the heart of the community”.
And the club has vowed to “come back stronger” in the aftermath of the blaze.
The club said in a statement: “Buildings can be replaced but the memories that donned the gym walls since we were established are all gone/kids were brought up in that gym, some only there for fitness, some only there to help them with their confidence and then the many who pulled on the famous Newarthill vest and became district, novice, national and Commonwealth champions.
“We WILL be back, of that I have no doubt. Time for reflection now that it has sunk in (well almost) and push forward.
“A massive thank you to all who have sent messages of support or called over the past few hours and also thanks to the fire service who put themselves at risk in times like this.
“We now look to rebuild going forward and come back stronger.”
A statement on the online fundraiser reads: “Today Newarthill Boxing Club, est 1980, was destroyed by a devastating fire. It’s been the heart of the community and changed so many lifes of the people who walk through its doors.
“It’s not only a boxing club but a place that supports fitness and mental health withing the community it serves. Please support us in keeping dreams alive.”
And nearby Cleland Miners ABC sent a message of support to Newarthill following the fire, posting on Facebook: “The Cleland Miners ABC would like to show their support to our fellow club Newarthill Boxing Club after their horrendous fire this morning, our facilities are there for your use when our gym reopens.”
Newarthill man John Ritchie, 61, lives across the street from the club and said: “I heard the fire engines and looked out the window.
“It’s just a sad loss to the community. It’s only opened up again a week ago. It’s not just the kids, there’s a lot of good boxers have come out of there.
“Two or three times a week it was chock-a-block, and I’ve stayed here 30 years.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said earlier: “We are currently in attendance at a building fire on Mosshall Street, Newarthill.
“We received the call at 6.55am on
Monday, July 27, and six appliances were mobilised to the scene.
“Crews continued to tackle the fire. There are no reported casualties.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service alerted us to the incident at around 7.25am this morning and we assisted with traffic management.”
Go to the Newarthill Amateur Boxing Club Facebook page for a link to the Justgiving fundraiser.