The pool and sauna were badly damaged in the blaze

A gym badly damaged in a blaze which forced members to be evacuated will be closed for a month for refurbishment.

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Eleven people were evacuated from LA fitness in Sandy Lane, Orpington, after fire broke out at 7.40am on Wednesday last week, damaging the swimming pool and sauna.

Sally Cartwright, Sidcup fire station manager, who was at the scene, said: “Eleven people who were using the gym were evacuated before our firefighters arrived.

“We got to the scene quickly and crews worked really hard to bring the fire under control.

“The building containing the swimming pool and sauna was more or less gutted by the fire.

“Our fire investigators will now be carrying out a thorough investigation to figure out how the blaze started.”

Six fire engines and 30 firefighters tackled the fire.

In a statement on its website LA Fitness said: “Our specialist engineers and structural consultants have attended the club since to assess the overall damage and have concluded that the overall damage is much worse than we initially thought.

“At this time we anticipate that the club will be closed for a minimum of four weeks.

“This will enable us to complete the overall assessments to the buildings structure and allow us to start our internal refurbishment programme to repair the damage caused to the club.”

Club members can use alternative LA fitness gyms and customers who have any queries should contact 0844 770 7700.