Los Santos Insider | Massive Blaze Destroys Vespucci Sports Gymnasium, Ruled Arson

[Degu]

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Massive Blaze Destroys Vespucci Sports Gymnasium, Ruled Arson

Written By Gabriel Stone, 11/07/2023

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Late on the 9th of July, emergency responders were called to a raging inferno at the Vespucci Sports Gym on Palomino Avenue. The intense blaze has left the structure severely compromised, leading authorities to declare it a "loss" indicating that it was no longer safe to enter. All members of staff were accounted for and no one was inside the building at the time, therefore there were no victims claimed by the fire.

 

 

The gymnasium was fully engulfed in flames already by the time the fire department had arrived. Thick plumes of smoke filled the air and could be seen from all surrounding areas including Little Seoul, La Puerta and Vespucci.

 

The blaze was eventually brought under control by the fire department around 11:30pm and San Fire were cleared for their investigations. However, the overhaul was challenging due to ongoing concerns about the structural integrity of the building, alongside fears of structural collapse. Portions of the roof began to collapse during the fire department's initial investigation but crews escaped safely. Due to this, San Fire proceeded with their investigation without arson dogs in tow.

 

The incident has been ruled as arson, and while San Fire cannot release the details of the investigation at this time, Los Santos Insider can provide what was immediately apparent on scene. Behind the building a severely burned pick-up truck with an open flatbed could be seen parked facing an electrical access door. Not only this but an angled photograph from the canals was able to capture some sort of tank or box in the flatbed and multiple hoses leading from the truck up to the roof of Vespucci Sports.

 

Credit to Brie Tobin, Los Santos Insider

 

San Fire were on scene the next day around 4pm on the 10th of July to further investigate the building. Overnight the building collapsed further and so assistance from the San Andreas Aviation Authority (SAAA) was called in. A helicopter assisted in hoisting two Fire Marshals onto the roof to further investigate the building. During the operation the Marshals surveyed the roof and surrounding areas using the helicopter.

 

Credit to San Fire

 

San Fire reports that the building collapsed further during the operation and the structure was evacuated, with all Marshalls accounted for and without injury. San Fire continues to investigate the burning of Vespucci Sports. Meanwhile, a number of questions are left hanging.

 

There's no clear motive for the arson at this time, however Vespucci Sports is directly connected to the San Andreas Fighting Association (SAFA) and has clear rivals in the MMA scene. Though it is uncertain at this time if this is indeed a case of rivalry, a more personal vendetta or an untargeted arson attack.

 

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I spoke with the owner of Vespucci Sports and SAFA, Adam Kaminski, and he provided us with a full statement in response to the burning of his business. It reads:

 

"I'm utterly disgusted and appalled at the idea that someone may have intentionally and with malicious intent went out of their way to set ablaze Vespucci Sports. The gym isn't just a business, it is a community center - especially for the youths that grow up in Vespucci. It shocks me to the core, that despite all the charity work we do and all the incentive programs we have for troubled youths, someone still has the audacity to take that away - not just from us but from those who rely on Vespucci Sports as an alternative to a life in the street. 

 

There is no doubt in my mind that the amazing government departments investigating Vespucci Sports will do their best to get to the bottom of this heinous case and I will completely comply to the best of my ability to ensure that I give every available resource to help bring those responsible in front of a judge. 

 

There is no doubt that losing Vespucci Sports is a major loss to the San Andreas Fighting Association and I'd like to apologize to the patrons of SAFA who enjoyed the shows we hosted in the gym, however our association will not fall. This is just a bump in the road which we'll ride on over. For the time being our events will be hosted out of our partner gyms as we further develop and take over the MMA scene in Los Santos. 

 

I'd like to thank the firefighters who worked tirelessly to try to salvage what they could of Vespucci Sports. I'd like to say thanks to the investigators who are working tirelessly to ensure that this crime does not go unpunished. I'd like to apologize to all of our fans, patrons and customers who are affected by this and assure them that Vespucci Sports will come back, better and stronger than ever as it has done before. 

 

As for the gym itself, demolishment and re-building plans have already been made. We've invested a large sum to replace and upgrade all of our equipment. However they will not begin until the various departments investigating the scene finish. 

 

Thank you all for sticking with SAFA especially in our times of hardship. 

 

Adam Kaminski

President

San Andreas Fighting Association."

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Comments Are: Enabled

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Name: 
Comment: 

 

[Mitch]

Name: Station52Enjoyer
Comment: Thank the lord for our extremely brave men and women of Station 1 and Station 52 who tackled this blaze, heroes!!!  

[waynezx]

Name: pineapplepizzaluver
Comment:  I love Los Fire Department and Los San Fire

Edited July 12, 2023 by waynezx

[Gamble]

Name: Jayzer32
Comment: Yo what’s the name of the Marshal with space buns??

[atomstodin]

9 hours ago, Gamble said:

Name: Jayzer32
Comment: Yo what’s the name of the Marshal with space buns??

Name: truthseeker29 
Comment: YOU ARE A FED YOU ARE PHYSCOPS GET OUT OF MYHEAD GET OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD OUT OF MY HEAD YOU ARENT REAL YOU ARENT REAL YOU ARENT REAL YOU ARE FAKE YOU ARENT A PERSON YOU ARE PHSYCOPS

[Rhelli]

Name: sanfire_official_user(verified)
Comment: i hate lena yeon!!

[orca112]

9 hours ago, Gamble said:

Name: Jayzer32
Comment: Yo what’s the name of the Marshal with space buns??

Name: SpaceBunsEnthusiast472

Comment: Space Buns Arf Arf Arf

[Yamashiro]

Name: PokeamonTrainer231
Comment:  That place gets burnt annually, they should mark a date on the calendar and make it a public holiday fr. 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Yamashiro

[Mullin]

Name: M118IK0L
Comment: When are we going to get a holiday for these annual events? The owner will be fine, he likes spending his time at rival gyms anyways.

[shoujo]

Quote

There's no clear motive for the arson at this time, however Vespucci Sports is directly connected to the San Andreas Fighting Association (SAFA) and has clear rivals in the MMA scene. 

Name: Guchi
Comment: With this article being the second instance of libel posted by the Los Santos Insider, it appears as though it is now in my best interests to pursue legal action.