The damage to a sauna cabin at Rio’s in Kentish Town

A LUNCHTIME steam session at a naturist spa ended in chaos when a man accidentally poured body oil onto a sauna’s hot stones and set the building on fire.

Rio’s, which describes itself as “London’s leading naturist health spa”, has been forced to close for at least three weeks after the huge blaze took hold in a sauna cabin near the garden on Friday.

Smoke from the fire towered over Kentish Town PIC: Sue Odell

It took 21 firefighters over an hour to put out the fire, which sent thick plumes of black smoke billowing over neighbouring rooftops and closed part of the main road in Kentish Town.

Rio’s has operated from its cheery paradise island shopfront in Kentish Town Road for more than 30 years, offering hot tubs, steam rooms, massage parlours and “strictly mixed couples nights” on Saturdays.

According to its website, it is “a club with good vibes during the day”, which offers a welcoming atmosphere for “first-timers who may be a little nervous entering a ‘liberated lifestyle’ for the first time”.

Paul Mapp, who owns the spa, told the New Journal that a customer enjoying a midday sauna accidentally poured body oil, instead of water, over the hot stone heating system, which can reach up to 95 degrees celsius.

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.

“It was one of those things. Everybody got out fine and nobody was hurt, that’s the main thing.”

The embarrassed customer rushed to reception to alert staff, who called the fire brigade and acted quickly to evacuate the dozen customers from the spa.

“Everybody got dressed and left,” Mr Mapp said. “When the evacuation happened the man who started the fire was one of the first to go. He got his shorts on pretty quick.”

Mr Mapp, who took over the running of the spa, in the family for 30 years, from his dad Trevor, said the sauna itself was damaged but the fire brigade managed to stop the blaze from spreading.

“The firefighters were good,” he added. “Oil onto hot coals is quite dangerous but it only caused damage in that small area. It was probably the hottest sauna the firemen ever had.”

Firefighters at Rio’s

Rio’s staff are now working hard to reopen as quickly as possible but Mr Mapp said it would be at least three weeks before customers could return.

“Saunas are not just bought off the shelf. Because we open such long hours we can’t open while building work is going on because of health and safety,” he said.

A 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.”