'It was like a scene from the movies': Wakefield mum describes moment gymnastic class flees Thornes Park Stadium fire
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The fire broke out at Thornes Park Stadium, on Horbury Road, at 7.25pm and police have confirmed it is being treated as arson.
It spread from the running track to a building full of children at sports clubs caused heavy smoke logging to the building.
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Hide AdThe stadium is used for training by some of the British gymnastics squad, including British tumbling champion Elliot Brown, and children were training when the fire broke out.
A Wakefield mum, 33, who was dropping her children off for gymnastics training, said: "Thankfully everyone was okay and all got out unhurt.
"It was like a scene from the movies seeing all the kids stood on the running track with no footwear or belongings. Just in their leotards and shorts with a foil sheet around them.
"Thankfully all the staff and coaches got the children out safely, but now there’s no training for god knows how long.
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Hide Ad"With big competitions coming up for loads of these kids that train up to five times a week and work their socks off all year round for these competitions - now what?"
Three crews attended the scene from Wakefield, Ossett and Dewsbury to extinguish the fire and clear smoke from the building.
Anyone with information on how the fire started is urged to call West Yorkshire Police on 101 or email [email protected].