Fire Breaks Out In Attic Of Yuba City Gym
YUBA CITY (CBS13) - Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire at a Yuba City gym overnight.
"I was devastated," said District Manager Matthew Gebert.
The fire began at Northside Fitness on 850 Kelton Way at around 1 a.m., say fire officials. When fire crews arrived, thick smoke was pouring from the roof. When they went inside, firefighters couldn't tell where the flames were coming from.
"When the crews went interior they were met with some very stubborn building construction. Getting into the attic space was very challenging for them," said Yuba City Fire Department Battalion Chief John Limas.
Firefighters cut a hole in the roof of the building and found flames in the attic. They were able to put the fire out, which appears to have begun in the ceiling above the men's locker room and spread to the women's locker room.
"We've talked to some of the members that were here last night and they're doing really well. The main thing is we're so happy that everybody was safe. We can always build another gym but you can't bring back a life," said Gebert.
The overnight manager at the gym was the first to discover the flames, and yelled for the four people working out to leave.
"We have members that have been here for 30 plus years, so it's pretty heart breaking," said Gebert.
Gym member George Bradley is still in shock. A year ago he was 700 pounds and since lost 300, but now he doesn't have a place to workout.
"Now I'm stuck to where I can't do my aqua. I do all my workout in the pool because I'm still too heavy to get in the weight room. I had surgery and the doctor doesn't want me using weights," said Bradley.
Two-thirds of the gym was destroyed, fire officials say, including both the men's and women's locker rooms, a weight room and lobby area.
"Looking at the building, knowing it's a total loss, it's going to be months before it's reopened," said Bradley.
Northside Fitness has over 12 thousand members and the company plans to rebuild.
Firefighters say it could take days, if not weeks, to find out how the fire started.
