Gym owner devastated in arson attack shock

ARSON attack . . . firefighters were called to Powermill Gym and Fitness

A GYM owner who has ploughed tens of thousands of pounds into his business was left "gutted" after arsonists struck on his birthday.

Rather than celebrating turning 32, Mathew Atkin is facing a massive clean-up after the attack caused extensive smoke damage at Powermill Gym and Fitness in Highfield Street, Oldham.

And firefighters say someone could have been killed if the blaze had taken hold.

Three crews from Oldham and Chadderton were called to the gym, close to Oldham College, shortly before 7am on Friday.

Blaze

An intruder smashed in a fire door before starting a blaze.

Mathew, from Bury, said: "Everything is black in there ­- the gym is ruined. I am gutted and it is my birthday as well."

Mathew was a personal trainer for several years before taking the plunge to start his own business a year ago.

He has ploughed £80,000 to £90,000 into buying and carrying out extensive improvements to the gym and added: "I have been building it up and building it up ­- it has been totally renovated. I have only had it 12 months and then this happens."

Work was due to start on Friday on adding a barbers, but he is now considering whether the business has a future.

"I don't know what I am going to do. I am waiting to hear from the insurance and hopefully I can continue but it depends if there is too much damage and if it is going to cost too much."

Watch commander Phil Courtnell, from Oldham fire station, confirmed that an accelerant had been used.

The incident has been passed to the police and he added: "Because of the nature of the flooring in the gym, if the fire had taken hold, whoever had opened up in the morning could have got a back draft.

"It could have put someone's life in jeopardy."