The show must go on
DANCE SCHOOL BLAZE BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN BUT OWNERS Say:
Fire ripped through a recently- opened dance school, leaving the timber-framed building in tatters.
But the incident has failed to ruin the optimism of its founders who are determined to see a Christmas event go ahead.
Maidstone’s Warmlake Dance Academy went up in flames at the weekend and was nearly completely destroyed.
And just as owners Hannah Mason and Craig Holes thought they’d dealt with the worst, the roof caved in.
But they’re determined to get the school – and their dancers – back on their feet for a festive function.
A dance school which opened just three months ago has been badly damaged after a blaze tore through it.
The Warmlake Dance Academy, in Sutton Valence, caught fire at around 9pm on Saturday.
No one was in the building. It is believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the fuse box but an investigation is continuing.
Dance coordinator Hannah Mason thought she could smell smoke as she taught a children’s dance class on Saturday morning but couldn’t find any evidence of a fire. Miss Mason left the acad- emy, in the Warmlake Business Estate off Maidstone Road, with her mother Lorraine at 3.30pm and around six hours later the building was well alight.
At first the building was thought to be structurally sound - but then part of the roof collapsed above a kitchen and central reception area which have both been destroyed.
Four fire engines were there for nearly three hours and the service received a high volume of calls about the incident.
Mrs Mason, who lives next door to the academy and helps run it, said: “It was my daughter and her fiancé Craig Holes’ dream and it’s absolutely gutting for them.
“It’s a new business for us and it really was going very well. We are absolutely heartbroken and we have got to pick ourselves up and brush ourselves down. The reception and kitchen area got the worst of it. The front studio has some soot damage and the back studio will be a major cleanup operation.
“My other daughter’s boyfriend spotted it as he was coming into our drive.
“I think if it had been another 10 minutes it would have been a very different scenario.”
She praised fire crews for an ‘absolutely stunning’ job.
Miss Mason said: “We thought we were at the top of the hill but now there’s more work to be done.”
The dance school opened in September and provides a variety of classes, from latin and ball- room to street dancing, teaching youngsters to seasoned competitors.
Before it opened the building’s landlord carried out a huge renovation of the timber-framed building. It was converted from a bathroom store to the dance venue with two studios. This was due to be the last week of classes before the Christmas break.
Despite the damage one studio can still be used and will still play host to a Christmas party on Saturday, December 13.
Families are welcome to go from 7pm. Entry is £5 per person. To book call 01622 840054 or 07973 473357.