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A fire has broken out at Blackpool Tower, with emergency services called to the iconic attraction.
Video shared on social media shows flames at the top of the structure, which opened in 1894. The blaze appears to be in an area underneath the Crows Nest, which visitors can climb up to.
The incident was first reported at 2.15pm today.
The tower was seen burning
(Harriet Clegg/Twitter)
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have six fire engines, the drone team and the rope rescue team currently in attendance at a fire on Promenade, Blackpool.
“Please stay away from the area. The drone team are in operation so please do not fly drones in the area as you may obstruct emergency operations.”
Did you witness the Blackpool Tower fire? Please contact [email protected]
Pictures taken from the scene show a specialist climbing team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service at the scene, meanwhile there is a heavy traffic on the Promenade. Lancashire Police also attended. A spokesperson said the force was supporting fire and rescue teams.
The structure opened in 1894
(@__harrietclegg/Twitter)
One person described a scene of “chaos” as emergency services arrived at the seen. Speaking to Lancs Live, they said: “At least three fire engines arrived in a matter of minutes, and then the street behind the tower was cordoned off, so you can’t get any closer.
“It’s been absolute chaos down here – people don’t expect something like this to happen to such a famous building.”
The bright lights of Blackpool may have earned the town the nickname of the “Las Vegas of the north”, but it was Paris and the Eiffel Tower mayor John Bickerstaffe had in mind when he commissioned Matcham to create the Blackpool Tower.
The tower itself opened in 1894, with the ballroom as it stands now opening five years later. When a fire devastated the venue in 1956, it took two years and £500,000 to rebuild what was lost. This included the dance floor, which had been destroyed in the process.
This is a breaking story – more to follow
