A new gym was left completely destroyed just days before it was due to open in a suspected arson attack.
The blaze ripped through The Unit Fitness Saddleworth in Delph in the early hours of Thursday morning (January 13).
The gym's owner Ben Bamforth said the fire caused more than £350,000 worth of damage, burning the brand new equipment and leaving it blackened and charred.
The gym was due to open just five days after the blaze and now a team of seven fitness trainers and eight back-up staff will not be paid.
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Police have confirmed that the fire is currently being treated as an arson attack.
CCTV footage of the scene taken at the time of the incident is being examined by officers.
Ben, 31, has been on the site clearing through the mess after the fire.
He said: "Nothing will put me off getting back on my feet and reopening as soon as everything is back in place."
The fully-qualified personal trainer and nutritional expert began personal training in Saddleworth at the age of 18.
He opened his first gym in Honley six years ago.
He said: "It was always my dream to open a gym in Saddleworth to give everybody a fantastic facility to train at as well as teach new personal trainers and help them as best I could.
"After years of saving, I took the plunge in August last year and decided to open my second gym.
"And since then I have been grafting every day to create my dream gym. But on Thursday the arsonists took it all away.
"Now I have seven personal trainers out of work more members of staff who will now not to be paid until we are reopen."
More than two hundred people had signed up to become members at the new facility.
Many have taken to social media to back Ben's new venture.
"The support from people has been really uplifting," Ben said.
"I’ve received more than 500 messages in some cases people offering to come in and help clear up.
"I’m very touched by their kindness."
A spokesperson for GMP said: "At 5.27am on 13 January 2022, emergency services were called to a report of a fire at Gatehead Mill, Delph New Road.
"No one was injured in the incident but the premises was badly damaged.
"An investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances around the fire and it is currently being treated as arson.
"No arrests have been made.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Yarker, Oldham CID on 0161 856 8926 quoting log 402 of the 13th January 2022.
"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
A spokesperson for for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service said: "Three fire engines from Oldham, Chadderton and Mossley were called to reports of a fire involving a commercial property on Delph New Road, Delph.
"On arrival firefighters used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel, and two positive pressure ventilation fans to extinguish a fire on the ground floor of a three storey commercial property.
"Crews were in attendance for approximately two hours.”
