50 firefighters have battled a building blaze in Swindon’s Old Town overnight.
Ten fire engines were deployed after smoke billowed from the roof of a commercial premises in Hoopers Place at around 7.16pm on Wednesday (8 May).
On arrival, crews found a fire in the roof above the former Tree club and Anytime Fitness.
“Crews are using hose reels, breathing apparatus and main lines to bring the fire under control”, a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.
They added: “The aerial ladder platform from Swindon is also in attendance at this incident and is being used to strip roof tiles and ascertain fire spread.
“We are working with colleagues from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue and Wiltshire Police to deal with this incident.”
Locals were asked to keep their windows and doors closed as firefighters worked – but the blaze was extinguished in the early hours of this morning (Thursday).
People were forced to abandon their cars overnight as fire appliances blocked the car park.
Anytime Fitness, in a statement, said it would be “shut for the foreseeable”.
Adding: “Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.”
Investigation work to establish the cause is due to get underway this morning.
