TWO DAYS, TWO FIRES

Photo Credit:  Kelsey Jones (the official mikestackhouse.blogspot.com photographer)

One day and one block over from the fire outside Source Embroidery, Heiser's Health And Fitness went up in flames tonight.

What are the chances the Yorkton Fire Department responds to a couple of fires across the street from their new home one day apart?

The Heiser fire is much, much more serious than the one that resulted in a ruined van yesterday (Wednesday).

I have been a member at Benno's/Heiser's for the last eight years.  From what I could tell, one firefighter was concentrating his efforts in one particular window that leads directly into the women's gym area, just outside of the female change room.

The biggest part of the fire shooting out of the roof appeared to be in the area of Chancey Heiser's office or possibly in the area where the heated sauna rooms are located.  The flames were also large enough to be shooting out of the area previously used as a daycare and also more recently was used as a stretching area.  I believe that portion of the building was being converted into a dwelling home.

I was on my way back into Yorkton from Canora, so I stopped and watched the 'action' for about 20 minutes or so.  You have to wonder if the roof may cave in at some point.  Pumphouse and Shear Bliss are also in the building as well as Wax Pot Esthetics.  All three of those businesses are certainly going to be in search of new homes.

Heiser's has been closed since the July 1st flood.  There were various reports of damage and the Yorkton rumor mill being what it is, it's difficult to know what to believe.  This much I know from when Benno Looft owned the gym:  the roof was a problem on several occasions when it came to leaking and the basement (men's change area) was flooded a number of times after a heavy rain.  More than one person said all three floors of the gym suffered extensive water damage from July 1, but I admit to having personally seen none of it.  Heiser's Facebook page had a post from Chancey saying the damage was more than expected and the business was going to be closed longer than expected.  He was/is searching for a temporary home and all members are going to be getting a free month after fees were taken out for July even though the place was closed.  In fact, it appears as though all members will be getting free memberships while Heiser's are at the temporary location.

Here's the wall post from July 18th:

Well Everybody, The Estimater was in on friday, The damage was more than
we expected, Looks like were going to be closed longer than we thought,
So looking for a temporary spot for now while we renovate to keep you
all happy ....as well yes we realize that fees were taken out for july
we appollogize.. with the first being a holiday everything was processed
before then ..but dont worry ...EVERYONE will receive a Free month when
we reopen ....and no other fees will come out till then....Thank you
for your Patience

Here's the wall post from July 27th:

Everybody will be getting a free month when we reopen.. also we are looking for a temporary loacation and will be offering FREE memberships while we are there...

Here is the Heiser Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=123331381030520&v=wall&ref=ts