May 03--Fire consumed a portion of a Yuba City gymnasium early this morning, causing about $1.5 million in damages.
Bill Fuller, Yuba City Fire Department spokesman, said a preliminary investigation indicates the fire at Northside Fitness at 850 Kelton Way sparked in the attic above the locker room area.
"The fire inspector believes it may have been some type of mechanical or electrical cause," Fuller said.
It does not appear suspicious.
"They're still working on finalizing the cause," Fuller said.
Firefighters responded at 1:20 a.m. to the 24-hour fitness club. Four customers and a night manager evacuated the building, Fuller said.
"Dispatchers could hear people yelling, 'get out of the building, get out of the building,'" Fuller said.
Yuba City Fire Department Battalion Chief John Limas said two firefighters were injured and checked out on scene by Bi-County Ambulance, but neither person needed to go to a hospital. A Yuba City Fire Department captain was hit in the head with a window that gave way, and a Sutter County Fire Department firefighter from the Oswald-Tudor station had a small beam fall on him.
"Firefighters were wearing their protective clothing and it prevented a more serious injury," Limas said.
Firefighters initially struggled to find the blaze. A crew on the roof cut a hole into the structure and had to abandon their position suddenly when smoke poured out, authorities said.
Fuller said flames continued to jump until 4 a.m.
Firefighters contained much of the damage to the north side of the building.
"Unfortunately that's where most of the valuables are," Fuller said.
Fuller said the locker room, weight room, reception area and administrative officers were "probably lost."
Several dozen firefighters responded from Yuba City, Calfire-Gridley, Olivehurst, Oswald-Tudor, Sutter County, Linda, and Wheatland. The Yuba City Police Department, TIPS, public works, PG&E and the American Red Cross also helped at the scene.
Some of the crews were dismissed around 5:30 a.m., but personnel were still at the scene at 9:15 a.m. today mopping up hot spots.
CONTACT Rob Parsons at [email protected] or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.
Copyright 2013 - Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
