Naturists forced to flee into the street when ‘swingers’ naked sauna caught fire after man poured BODY OIL over hot coals
The inferno at Rio's - which describes itself as London's leading naturist spa - took hold last Friday, ripping through the building just before 1pm
NUDISTS fled into the street in nothing but towels after a man poured body oil over the hot coals of a sauna instead of water, causing a huge blaze.
The fire at Rio's - which has a reputation has a reputation for swinging - took hold last Friday, ripping through the building just before 1pm.
Around 15 customers had to be evacuated, along with some five members of staff.
More than 20 firefighters were called in to calm the raging inferno, which took over an hour to put out.
Owner Paul Mapp said a customer enjoying a midday sauna accidentally poured body oil, instead of water, over the hot stones, which can reach nearly 100C.
He said: “It was not long after lunchtime and a customer had brought some body oil into the sauna.
"He put it on the hot coals, the heat went up then he dropped the plastic bottle in it and it ignited.
"The sauna went up in flames.
The blaze started in the sauna after a man tipped body oil on the hot coals
“When the evacuation happened the man who started the fire was one of the first to go. He got his shorts on pretty quick.
“It was one of those things. Everybody got out fine and nobody was hurt, that’s the main thing.”
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He told his local paper, the this week: "The firefighters were good - oil onto hot coals is quite dangerous - It was probably the hottest sauna the firemen ever had.”
Local Graham Scott, 43, said: "You could see the smoke from miles away - it really was quite a fire.
"People were standing about in just their towels outside until the fire brigade got there and they were taken care of."
Another, Lucy Ellis, 34, added: "This place has got quite a reputation around here - it all sounds like fun and games, but whoever thought it was a good idea to put oil on hot coals really needs to go back to school."
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “The fire is believed to have been caused accidentally after oil was spilled onto the sauna heater.
"I would recommend not using oil in the sauna. If you do, keep it well away from the heater.”
The website for naturist spa in Kentish Town, north London has a string of photos depicting its clients letting it all hang out.
It charges £21 entry and £53 for a one-hour massage and describes the spa as for 'liberated people' who enjoy the company of 'like-minded adults'.
Rio's boasts three steam rooms, two sauna cabins, three jacuzzis and a plunge pool - along with two TV lounges.
The website states that it is now closed due to 'unforeseen circumstances' and plans to re-open again on December 1.
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