Adevastating fire erupted at Victory MMA and Fitness gym, resulting in injuries to a seasoned MMA coach and disrupting training operations.
The fire broke out on the morning of February 22 at the Victory MMA and Fitness facility, situated in the Midway district of San Diego, California. Swiftly escalating, the blaze prompted a substantial response from firefighters, engulfing the building in flames and extending to the adjacent hotel.
Responding to a distress call, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department rushed to the scene at 3666 Midway Drive around 6 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered billowing smoke emanating from the gym’s second floor, indicating the severity of the situation.
Efforts were immediately underway to evacuate occupants from the neighboring Wyndham Gardens Motel, while individuals within the gym, including fitness enthusiast Dennis Gonzales, managed to escape unharmed. Gonzales recounted the harrowing experience of being alerted to the fire while exercising, expressing concern for his belongings left behind.
Among those affected was MMA veteran and esteemed jiu-jitsu coach Dean Lister, who was asleep at the time of the incident. Awakened by the acrid scent of smoke, Lister emerged from the engulfed building, bearing signs of smoke inhalation and sustaining burns to his feet.
Lister, whose living quarters were connected to the gym’s second floor, lamented the loss of the training center for jiu-jitsu and wrestling classes. With the facility reduced to ashes, Lister faces the daunting task of relocating classes to alternative venues.
Throughout the morning, firefighters battled the blaze, employing various strategies, including roof penetration, to contain the inferno. Despite their relentless efforts, the cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities, leaving questions lingering over the devastating incident.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the fire at Victory MMA and Fitness, the road to recovery for both the injured and the displaced remains uncertain, underscoring the resilience and solidarity of the MMA community in times of adversity.
