50 flee fire in their cossies

Work taking place on the roof at Royton swimming baths.

AROUND 50 people had to be evacuated in their swimming costumes after a fire at Royton baths.

Firefighters were called to Royton Sports Centre on Park Street just before lunchtime yesterday after a fire broke out in the roof of the building.

Crews evacuated the centre and swimming pool to the neighbouring 50 flee fire in their cossies!

Royton health centre and swimmers were quickly wrapped in foil blankets to keep them warm while the blaze was brought under control.

Watch manager Reg Haye said: “A total of 16 firefighters were needed at the fire, which we believe started after workmen attending to the centre’s roof burnt timbers without realising.

“What is concerning is that the fire alarm did not go off and we will be investigating why this was the case.

“Luckily everyone, including swimmers, were evacuated quickly and taken to the health centre where they were looked after and there were no injuries. There was some damage caused to the roof and this will need to be cleared to ensure the building is safe.”

Stuart Lockwood, chief executive of Oldham Community Leisure, which operates the centre, said: “Royton Sports Centre was evacuated this following a small fire that was started during routine roof repairs.

“No customers or staff were hurt during the fire or in the evacuation.”

He added that the centre re-opened as normal in the afternoon following the clean-up process.

Linda Bott, who was in the pool for an aquafit class at the time of the evacuation, praised the way the incident was handled by staff and firefighters.

Linda (63) said: “ We were asked to stay in the water until the staff knew what was happening but they were already getting the foil blankets out for us.

“Then when the fire officer told us to evacuate we were helped out of the pool quickly and efficiently and each given a blanket which we put on in the entrance before moving outside.”

She added that the swimmers were told that they could go to a room in the health centre, where they were offered water and warm drinks or a place to change and shower if they had brought their clothes with them.

Linda, from Royton, continued: “The leisure centre staff kept us informed of what was happening.

“After about an hour they said we could gather our belongings from the leisure centre but would have to dress in the health centre.

“We were escorted to the leisure centre via a safe passage and quickly salvaged our clothes. I thought it was all handled efficiently.”