A leisure complex in Lincolnshire has been completely destroyed by fire.

Eight fire crews plus support vehicles were called to the Kenwick Park Leisure complex in Louth, shortly after 3am this morning (13th October). Fifty firefighters from stations throughout Lincolnshire tackled the severe blaze, which swept right through the building.

Around 100 guests at a neighbouring hotel had to be evacuated.

Deputy divisional commander at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Steve Moore said he expected crews to be at the site for most of the day.

Six appliances remain on site and Steve Moore, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Services’ Deputy Divisional commander at Skegness said while the hotel and other parts of Kenwick Park are unaffected, the leisure centre has been “completely gutted.”

Mr Moore said: "It was disastrous. It was through the roof."

Complex owner Mr Flynn commented: "There was no risk to life at any stage. Everyone met in the hotel foyer and everything was handled properly."

The leisure centre contained a swimming pool, salon and a gym.

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

Original sources

Louth Leader

Grimsby Telegraph