Blackpool Tower ‘fire’ just orange netting in wind, say police

Blackpool Tower ‘fire’ just orange netting in wind, say police

A suspected fire that broke out at the top of Blackpool Tower was actually just “orange netting” blowing in the wind, police have said.

The suspected blaze was first reported at around 2.15pm today. Lancashire firefighters cordoned off the tower and sent six fire engines and a drone team.

Videos showed what appeared to be orange flames at the top of the structure. But when Lancashire Police sent up a helicopter to assess the situation, they saw it was a false alarm.

Supt Karen Edwards said: “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.”

“One man has been arrested on suspicion of Breach of the Peace and is being transported to custody,” she added.

05:08 PM GMTSuspected fire actually ‘lights on reflective netting surface at top of tower’

After it was revealed that the suspected blaze was orange netting, a spokesperson for Blackpool Tower said: “We can confirm that the Fire Brigade are on site at the Blackpool Tower and have established that there is no fire.”

They added: “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.”

04:46 PM GMT’There was no fire’

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said in a post on X: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service 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.

“This incident was supported by the National Police Air Service, who used thermal imaging which provided further assurance.”

04:27 PM GMTBlackpool Tower Construction History

The cost to build the tower was just under £300,000, roughly £30m in today’s world.

It is made up of more than five million bricks, 2,493 tons of steel and 93 tons of cast iron.

From the very top of the tower, on a clear day, visitors can see across to the Lake District, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

The Tower is well known to viewers of Strictly Come Dancing, with the Tower Ballroom hosting the annual Blackpool special.

11th July 1953: Construction workers balance precariously over the streets of Blackpool over 500 feet below, as they work on the famous Tower. – Ronald Startup/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

04:13 PM GMTPictured: Crowds and firefighters at Blackpool Tower amid blaze

blackpool

Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com

Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com

03:52 PM GMTHistory of Blackpool Tower

Built between 1891 and 1894, the tower is 158m (519ft) high and is a Grade I listed building, writes Will Bolton.

Inspired by a trip to Paris in 1889, former Blackpool mayor Sir John Bickerstaffe had the idea of building a Lancashire version of the Eiffel Tower.

The Blackpool Tower was first opened to the public in May 1984 and at the time it was the tallest man made structure in the British Empire.

When it first opened, tourists paid sixpence for admission, sixpence more for a ride in the lifts to the top, and a further sixpence for the circus.

blackpool tower

The top of the Tower caught fire in 1897, and the platform was seen on fire from up to 50 miles (80 km).

In 1940, during the Second World War, the crow’s nest at the top was removed to allow the structure to be used as a Royal Air Force radar station known as ‘RAF Tower’.

In 1977, the top of the tower was painted silver as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.

03:48 PM GMTSpecialist climbing team arrive at the scene

A specialist climbing team from Lancasghire Fire and Rescue Service have arrived at the scene.

The incident is causing traffic problems on the Promenade with heavy jams on roads surrounding the Tower and one onlooker describing it as “chaos”.

They told Lancashire Live that firer engines had arrived at the scene in a matter of minutes.

“It’s been absolute chaos down here – people don’t expect something like this to happen to such a famous building,” they said.

“We heard everyone inside had been evacuated. I hope nobody was hurt.”

03:40 PM GMTWatch: Blackpool Tower on fire03:40 PM GMTPictured: Blaze at Blackpool Tower

The tourist attraction Blackpool Tower has gone up in flames at a platform near the very top – Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com

03:32 PM GMTSix fire engines in attendance

There are six fire, a drone team and a rope rescue team currently at the scene.

In a statement, 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.”

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