Victory MMA and Fitness, a renowned gym owned by BJJ legend Dean Lister, was partly destroyed by a devastating fire.
The fire, which erupted in the early hours of February 22, not only destroyed the gym – but also left Lister with minor injuries.
The fire started on the second floor of the Victory MMA and Fitness center, located in the Midway district of San Diego, California.
And it not only ravaged the gym, but also threatened the safety of a neighboring hotel.
San Diego’s firefighters received the call for help at approximately 6 a.m. and arrived at 3666 Midway Drive – finding the gym engulfed in smoke.
Their immediate action facilitated the evacuation of the nearby Wyndham Gardens Motel, ensuring the safety of its occupants.
Dean Lister found himself in a dangerous situation, as he was sleeping in his living quarters connected to the gym at the time of the fire.
Awoken by the smell of smoke, Lister narrowly escaped – suffering from smoke inhalation and burns to his feet.
Firefighting teams worked tirelessly throughout the morning, employing various tactics to quell the flames.
The cause of the fire, according to the gym’s official Instagram account, can be tracked down to the men’s sauna.
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