Gym users flee fire alarms

nlnews@archant.co.uk
29 July 2010

TWO false fire alarms forced hoards of gym users in swimsuits and leotards out onto the street in a "surreal" spectacle.

The scantily-clad customers spilled out of Virgin Active in Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, as alarms went off last Thursday afternoon and Friday lunchtime.

Full emergency responses were triggered both times as a fire crew from Hornsey fire station attended the scene, but the incidents proved to be false alarms.

Crouch End councillor David Winskill (Liberal Democrat), who watched the Friday evacuation unfold from the Marie Curie charity shop next door, said: "We heard the alarms go off. It's great news there was no fire and that the detectors are working.

"The evacuation was conducted well, there was no panic, and it gave passers-by a surreal picture of many dozens of the gym's clients standing around The Broadway dressed in leotards and swimsuits."

A gym staff member said the first false alarm was raised after someone thought they spotted smoke. She said: "There was smoke from the roof, but we can't explain it."

The Fire Brigade said false alarms were common across London and shed light on possible causes of rooftop emissions.

A Hornsey firefighter said: "If you see smoke it's quite common that it's the boiler or condensation steam coming out. It happens quite a lot with gyms."

A Virgin Active spokesman said an equipment fault was the most likely culprit. He said: "We are currently looking into the cause of a false fire alarm at our Crouch End club last week. Our staff correctly followed procedures and organised a temporary evacuation of the club.

"While we apologise to members who had to leave in their work-out clothes, safety is of paramount importance and we thank members for their cooperation.