Ceiling “lifted” at martial arts school during explosion at industrial estate
Swindon Martial Arts & Fitness is only 500 yards from the explosion site
A business at Groundwell Industrial Estate saw its ceiling lifted by an explosion two days ago (24 September).
Swindon Martial Arts & Fitness is located a two-minute drive from where the blast erupted.
Staff and students were in the middle of their evening classes when the building started to shake.
Jason O’Grady, Head Coach and Owner of the school, said: “I was at home and I noticed on the cameras that a member kept coming out into the hallway and pointing at something. So I quickly got on the phone to call and they said there had been a big bang.
“The roof shook and all the dust came down, so they stopped classes.”
A member of staff, Dean Barnett, went outside to check what had happened and spotted the nearby flames.
“He then went down to the dance class below us and made sure all the kids there were alright and got everyone evacuated safely.
“Everybody was a bit shook up and didn’t expect that on a Wednesday night.”
Jolene Dunan-Hale, also a Head Coach at the school, added: “Dean actually thought it was an aeroplane that had crashed into the building because no one knew what was going on.”
Ms Dunan-Hale was at home at the time of the explosion as well and helped coordinate pick-ups for the children over the phone.
“My concern was the students”, she said.
“I had two young lads in here that I wanted to get out. Their mum was stuck and couldn’t get to them, and they were stuck and couldn’t get to her, so that was a bit of a scary moment.”
It was a “restless” night for both Mr O’Grady and Ms Dunan-Hale as they waited for the police cordon to be lifted – especially after they had received photos of a crack in a wall of the school.
They were able to go over to the building first thing on Thursday morning to check the damage.
“Apparently, the ceiling had lifted right up and then when it banged back down it cracked one of the walls”, explained Ms Dunan-Hale.
“So, we had to check that it was safe for our students to come back.
“Obviously, we spoke to the landlord – he’s given the all-clear. We’ve all gone round inspecting the building and I think they’re getting proper inspectors in to check it and get it all done.”
Due to the minor damage, the school was able to reopen on Thursday afternoon.
“It is a relief”, added Mr O’Grady.
“First and foremost, we’re happy that everyone is safe but then also coming in and making sure your business is still alive.
“We’ve had a walk through the estate and we’ve seen the state of that building – it’s horrific.
“Selfishly, we’re just glad that it wasn’t our building and that we’ve still got a job to go to.”