Second blaze in year destroys old gym
A FORMER gym in Gateshead has been completely destroyed after it was ravaged by fire for the second time in less than a year.
Clouds of smoke could be seen for miles around as huge flames engulfed the old Springs Sanctuary Spa on Joicey Road, Low Fell, yesterday morning.
Firefighters said it was likely the charred remains of the derelict building will now have to be pulled down.
It is the second time in less than a year that the building has been damaged by fire, after going up in flames last June.
Watch manager Darren Williamson said that on this occasion someone had got into the building overnight and they “assumed the fire was malicious”.
Firefighters say they were called to the building, which has been vacant for around four years since the gym closed down, at around 5am.
At around 10am yesterday, watch manager Williamson said the main fire had been put out but crews would remain on site for several hours damping down the building.
He added: “It’s about the third time there has been a fire in there, so there couldn’t be that much left to save.”
Two fire crews from Gateshead, a pump from South Shields and an aerial ladder platform were sent to douse the flames. Nearby residents were told to keep their doors and windows closed as a precaution over fears of asbestos spreading.
Demi Black, who lives opposite the building said: “I looked out in the early hours of the morning and there was this red glow in the sky, but the fire engines were already here.
“There were two fire engines and an ambulance. I couldn’t believe they were still here when I got up again this morning – it must have been a bad fire.”
Another resident, Alan, said: “I first heard the pumps at about 8.45am.
“It’s not the first time there’s been a fire there.”
Although two ambulances were sent to the scene, nobody is thought to have been injured or evacuated from the empty building.
Northumbria Police says it is investigating the cause.