Blaze rips through leisure centre

A huge fire has torn through a leisure centre, leaving the building in ruins.

The blaze broke out early on Friday morning at Salford's Clarendon Leisure Centre on Liverpool Street, near Salford Shopping Centre.

The flames, which were tackled by 40 firefighters at their height, gutted the roof of the swimming pool.

Salford Community Leisure, which manages the centre on behalf of Salford City Council, said it would remain closed while the investigation continued.

Its statement, it added: "Customers should not attempt to visit the centre and we will be in touch with our members as soon as possible."

Salford mayor Paul Dennett said: “Everyone here at Salford City Council and our colleagues at Salford Community Leisure are extremely saddened."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said nobody was injured.

A spokesman said: “It was a very intense fire - the whole building was involved at one point so our priority was to prevent it spreading to other parts which have recently been refurbished.”

The fire has left a twisted mesh of corrugated iron sheets and steel girders on the roof, which completely collapsed on the swimming pool side

People living nearby were urged to keep their doors and windows closed as fumes and smoke from the scene spread.

Traffic was being diverted away from the scene and Liverpool Street was closed between Fitzwarren Street and Albion Way.

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