THE COMMUNITY has rallied round after a fire caused severe damage to a gym and community room.

The 1610 gym and Dulverton Parish Rooms were damaged in the fire that started on Wednesday morning (May 9).

The fire caused substantial damage to the ceiling of the ground floor of the building and smoke damage affected the changing rooms and office area.

But the community has shown its support and offered up different locations for the gym to run its classes from.

Somerset County Gazette:

More fire damage at the gym. Pic: Tiverton Fire Station. 

After many phone calls from the community, Dulverton Town Hall will be used a temporary venue for some classes.

1610 sports development manager, Suzanne Richards, said the leisure trust is very grateful for the support it has received.

She said: "1610 which manages the Exmoor Fitness Centre in Dulverton in West Somerset has closed the centre following a fire which substantially damaged the ceiling of the ground floor room of the building in Rosemary Lane.

“We have been very touched by the phone calls and offers of help from people in Dulverton who clearly value the Exmoor Fitness Centre. We really want to thank the local community for that support and for their patience as we do our level best to get services back and fully operational."