News
2006-09-02
Woman dies in
U.K. gay sauna fire
A woman was
killed early Friday in a fire of suspicious origin at a gay
sauna in Leeds, England, prompting a major investigation by
West
A woman was
killed early Friday in a fire of suspicious origin at a gay
sauna in Leeds, England, prompting a major investigation by
West Yorkshire police, the Yorkshire Post
reported. Police and firefighters were called to the
Spartan Mantalk Sauna in Bexley Mount at 3:45 a.m.
Friday and rescued a woman, who was later confirmed
dead. She was apparently the only person in the building.
Local newsagent
Vishav Prabhakar said the sauna was the target of earlier
attacks and a robbery. He said he thought the business had
about 40 customers a day and was targeted by armed
robbers several years ago because of the amount of
money made there.
Another neighbor
described being awakened by many loud bangs at 2:45 a.m.
"I heard the noise when it was started. I heard the bangs
and heard a car screeching off. I think they kicked
the door in. I thought it was someone breaking into a
car, and I went back to bed," he said. "Next thing I
heard, someone was banging on the door, and I looked
out of my window and could see the house opposite was all
lit up with flames. It was really going at that
point."
Prabhakar told
the Leeds Times that he knew the woman who
worked there but was positive that nobody lived in the
building.
According to
Internet listings, Spartan Mantalk is open 24 hours a day.
Its facilities are said to include a sauna box steam cabin
and a "Jacuzzi public rest room."
Head detective
Bill Shackleton of the West Yorkshire Police Homicide and
Major Inquiry said the fire appears to be of suspicious
origin, although no incendiary devices have been
found.
The victim
remained unidentified Friday morning. (Hassan Mirza,
Gay.com/U.K.)
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