A blaze ripped through Newarthill Boxing Club this morning (Monday, July 27).
Fire crews raced to the inferno on Mosshall Street around 7am.
The building has been described as “the heart of the community”.
A fundraiser has already been established to help the club recover.
And nearby Cleland Miners ABC sent a message of support to Newarthill following the fire.
A statement on the online fundraiser reads: “Today Newarhill Boxing Club, est 1980, was destroyed by a devastating fire. It’s been the heart of the community and changed so many lifes of the people who walk through its doors.
“It’s not only a boxing club but a place that supports fitness and mental health withing the community it serves. Please support us in keeping dreams alive.”
And Cleland Miners ABC posted on Facebook: “The Cleland Miners ABC would like to show their support to our fellow club Newarthill Boxing Club after their horrendous fire this morning, our facilities are there for your use when our gym reopens.”
Newarthill man John Ritchie, 61, lives across the street from the club and said: “I heard the fire engines and looked out the window.
“It’s just a sad loss to the community. It’s only opened up again a week ago. It’s not just the kids, there’s a lot of good boxers have come out of there.
“Two or three times a week it was chock-a-block, and I’ve stayed here 30 years.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said earlier: “We are currently in attendance at a building fire on Mosshall Street, Newarthill.
“We received the call at 6.55am on Monday, July 27, and six appliances were mobilised to the scene.
“Crews continued to tackle the fire. There are no reported casualties.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service alerted us to the incident at around 7.25am this morning and we assisted with traffic management.”
