Fire services were mobilised this morning at 7:20am to a large fire at the Acorns Health and Leisure facility by the Copthorne Hotel roundabout in Crawley.
There were initially ten fire engines at the scene, but an update at 8.55am confirmed that West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) had 17 vehicles in attendance, including five specialist vehicles.
A WSFRS spokeswoman said: “At 7.22am we were called to a fire at Acorn Health and Leisure in Copthorne Road, Crawley.
“So far, we have crews from Crawley, Salfords, Reigate, Godstone, the aerial ladder platform from Horsham, two water carriers from Burgess Hill and Petworth, the control unit from Haywards Heath, and a high volume pump from East Sussex Fire and Rescue.”
Update from West Sussex Fire 17:30
“We are still on site at Acorn Health & Leisure in Crawley with 7 pumps, 2 Aerial Ladder Platforms, a water carrier and the Command Unit and we are expecting to be on scene for some time, including overnight at a reduced level for monitoring purposes.”
Police have issued an appeal this afternoon
Police are appealing for information following a significant fire in Acorns Health and Leisure Club, Copthorne, on Sunday, August 7.
Officers responded to a call from West Sussex Fire & Rescue just before 7.40am following a report of a fire at the leisure centre.
There will be a police presence in the area for some time while investigating officers determine the cause of the fire and both West Sussex Fire & Rescue and Sussex police are advising people to avoid the area as the building remains unsafe.
Anyone with information which could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to police online or call 101 quoting serial number 347 of 07/08.
Alternatively you can report this information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.