UP TO 100 people were evacuated from a fire at a leisure centre in Nelson.

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from Pendle Wavelengths which will now be closed for the ‘foreseeable future’ whilst safety work is carried out.

Centre bosses say customers were evacuated from the centre wearing what ever they had on at the time of the fire, including swimming costumes, but were given foil blankets and taken by bus to the nearby Ace Centre.

Nobody was injured in the fire, which was located in the sauna at the Inside Spa section of the building on Leeds Road, and people were later allowed to re-enter to collect their belongings. Customers were also given food and tea.

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At its height six fire engines were tackling the blaze, which started at 11.05am yesterday.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated by fire officers, but police are not treating it as suspicious.

Phil Storey, chief executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, said: “At this stage we do not know how the fire started, but it does look like it was contained within the spa area and did not spread upstairs into the gym and fitness studio.

“We will have a better idea once we can get back in the building to assess the extent of the damage.

“I would like to thank the swift actions of the firefighters for getting the fire under control so quickly, and the staff at Pendle Wavelengths who did a fantastic job evacuating the building and getting everyone out safely, which was our main concern.”

Carmella Manta, a visitor in The Shop on Leeds Road, said “The smoke was pouring out the vents and it became so thick you couldn’t see the side of the building.”

Chris Waring, Burnley Station Manager, said: “Two fire engines were called at 11.05am fromNelson to a fire at the swimming pool.

“The fire was in the sauna area.

“At its height, there were two engines from Burnley, one from Colne, one from Hyndburn and a command unit from Blackburn.

“Eight officers went into the building with jets to extinguish the fire.

“There was no injuries or casualties.

“We are investigating the cause of the fire.”

Police attended the scene to assist with traffic flow.

A spokeswoman for the Pendle Leisure Trust said: “Even though it’s just the spa that’s effected, obviously with the electrics and everything we have got to make sure the whole of the building is safe. It will be closed for the foreseeable future.”

The spokeswoman said they would try to accommodate classes at other centres.