28/07/2009

Blackpool Hotel Destroyed In Blaze

Firefighters are battling a huge blaze which has broken out at a Lancashire hotel.

Crews from Preston were called to battle the fire at the Grand holiday flats on Station Road, Blackpool.

More than 100 people were evacuated from 60 holiday flats and a nightclub as firefighters dealt with the inferno. Fire chiefs described the scene as "like something from the Blitz".

The fire broke out at around 10.00pm on Monday, and up to 80 firefighters were involved in tackling it.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the area at 2150 BST on Monday.

A fire service spokesman said: "It's a scene of absolute devastation, the hotel was collapsing."

The spokesman added: "At the fire's height it looked like something from the Blitz.

"It is not yet clear how the fire began but we are not ruling out arson."

It is the latest blaze to destroy a prominent building in the resort, after the iconic Yates' wine lodge was gutted in a fire in February.

(JM/BMcC)

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