Exactly what happened at Blackpool Tower as 6 fire engines and chopper scrambled
Blackpool Tower was the centre of an emergency alert this afternoon after ‘flames’ were seen licking the top of the famous landmark.
But fears of a towering inferno were eased after the bright glow was found to have been caused by orange netting. Lights on the iconic building had illuminated the material as it flapped around in the strong breeze near the viewing platform. And to people down below it appeared as if flames had taken hold in the 129-year-old tower.
After worried members of the public raised the alarm, emergency crews raced to the 518ft structure in the centre of the seaside resort. Six fire engines were deployed as a police helicopter hovered above and the streets below were cordoned off.
Blackpool Tower and surrounding buildings were evacuated and the public were warned to stay away from the area. But thermal imaging equipment in the police chopper could not detect a blaze.
Six fire engines were called to Blackpool Tower - only for the 'fire' to turn out to be something else (BPL Bible via Lancs Live)Lancashire Police said later: “The top of the tower is currently closed for renovation and difficult to access. Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.”
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The county’s fire and rescue service said “a combination of factors” had led “concerned members of the public…to believe there was a fire”. In a statement it added: “A specialist team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service gained access and confirmed that there was no fire.”
In a statement Blackpool Tower said: “We can confirm that the fire brigade are on site…and have established that there is no fire. Our well-rehearsed emergency procedures were implemented, and we can confirm that what looked like a fire from a distance was in fact lights on a reflective netting surface at the top of the tower.”
During the alert one man was arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace near the scene.
Built between 1891 and 1894, the tower is a Grade I listed building. Former Blackpool mayor Sir John Bickerstaffe had the idea of building a Lancashire version of the Eiffel Tower after visiting Paris in 1889.
The total cost for its design and construction was £290,000, which is around £30million in today’s money. It first opened in May 1894 and has an entertainment complex at its base, with attractions including the famous Tower Ballroom.
It is the 125th tallest freestanding tower in the world and features a glass-floored “skywalk” at the top offering visitors views of Liverpool and the Isle of Man.
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were called to Promenade, Blackpool today by concerned members of the public, due to a combination of factors that led them to believe it was a fire. The area where the fire was suspected is generally inaccessible, therefore access to this area is difficult. A specialist team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service gained access and confirmed that there was no fire."
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