Blackpool Tower fire – live: Blaze rips through iconic seaside landmark as people urged to stay away

A ‘fire’ at the top of Blackpool Tower that triggered an emergency response turned out to be orange netting blowing in the wind, say police.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service sent six fire engines to the landmark attraction on the promenade at 2.14pm.

Footage from social media showed what looked like flames coming from near the top of the 158m structure. A drone team and rope rescue team are currently at the scene, the fire service said.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “We have six fire engines, the drone team and the rope rescue team currently in attendance at a fire on Promenade, Blackpool.

“There may be significant disruption so 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.”

Lancashire Constabulary confirmed it was onsite to support fire and rescue teams. Police later said that the ‘flames’ were in fact orange netting. A spokesperson said: “Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.”

Are you near Blackpool Tower? Contact matt.mathers@independent.co.uk

Key Points

How old is Blackpool Tower?

19:53 , Matt Mathers

Blackpool Tower, built between 1891 and 1894, is modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and attracts more than a million visitors every year.

It is one of Britain’s 10 most popular fee-paying attractions.

The tower is a Grade I listed building and incorporates at its base a building containing attractions that include a world-famous ballroom and circus.

Recap: what happened at Blackpool Tower?

18:30 , Matt Mathers

A fire appeared to break out at Blackpool Tower on Thursday 28 December, with emergency services called to the attraction, Oliver Browning reports.

Blackpool Police have since confirmed that the flames seen at the top of the tower are in fact orange netting, and that a man has been arrested for breach of the peace.

Chief Superintendent Karen Edwards said: “Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.”

In footage shared on social media, the netting could be seen at the top of the iconic structure, which opened in 1894.

Lancashire Fire & Rescue said: “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.”

Watch:

Blackpool Tower: Police discover ‘fire’ is in fact orange netting

‘Flames’ were lights on a reflective surface

17:30 , Matt Mathers

A spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments, which runs the tower, said: “We can confirm that the fire brigade are on site at the Blackpool Tower 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.”

No smoke was reported but an investigation was carried out as a standard procedure, the company said.

The surrounding area was evacuated as a precaution.

‘Fire’ was difficult to assess was inaccessible

16:44 , Matt Mathers

The suspected fire was difficult to assess because the area where it was thought to have broken out was inaccessible, Amy Clare Martin reports.

Lancashire Fire & Rescue said: “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.”

False alarm – flames were orange netting

16:42 , Matt Mathers

Blackpool Police, part of Lancashire Police, confirmed a man had been arrested for breach of the peace and the flames seen are in fact orange netting, Amy-Clare Martin reports.

Divisional Commander Ch Supt Karen Edwards said: “We are at the scene in support of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Blackpool Council and Merlin Entertainment.

“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.”

Blackpool Tower hosted this year’s Strictly Come Dancing show

16:26 , Matt Mathers

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition was held at Blackpool Tower.

Isobel Lewis reports on the city’s dance history, and how ‘Blackpool Week’ became a ‘Strictly’ institution:

Inside Strictly’s Blackpool history, from Angela Rippon’s Come Dancing to first 40

Man arrested near Blackpool Tower – witness

16:24 , Matt Mathers

One witness told how he and his family saw police handcuff and arrest a man as the fire drama unfolded, Jane Dalton reports.

Philip Roberts said they saw officers chase a man across the street, before tackling him at the entrance to the dungeons.

“He put up a fight. Four police were trying to subdue him,” he said.

“They wrestled him to the ground and I saw them take certain things off him and put them in a plastic bag.

“This man who was subdued was taken away in handcuffs in the police van.

“The police were absolutely amazing. Once they got him in the van everyone cheered.”

Magic show including fire breathing was due to start before fire

16:16 , Matt Mathers

A magic and illusion show had been scheduled to take place at the Blackpool Tower Circus arena today, Barney Davis reports.

The High Jinx show, which included fire breathing, had been to start at 2.30pm – around 15 minutes after emergency services were called to the scene.

“Created by award-winning illusionist and magician Michael Jordan, High Jinx brings 90 minutes of sensational tricks, illusions, juggling, escapology and much more to The Blackpool Tower Circus,” the tower’s website says.

Blackpool Tower was not open to visitors

16:08 , Matt Mathers

The Blackpool Tower Eye, the visitor attraction at the very top of the structure, was not open to visitors today, according to the tower’s website.

The tower 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.

How old is Blackpool Tower?

15:59 , Matt Mathers

Blackpool Tower, built between 1891 and 1894, is modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and attracts more than a million visitors every year.

It is one of Britain’s 10 most popular fee-paying attractions.

The tower is a Grade I listed building and incorporates at its base a building containing attractions that include a world-famous ballroom and circus.

Watch: Fire seen at top of Blackpool Tower

15:55 , Matt Mathers

Specialist climbing team at the scene

15:53 , Matt Mathers

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.

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.”

(Harriet Clegg/Twitter)

Fire appears to be in Crows Nest

15:51 , Matt Mathers

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.

15:44 , Matt Mathers

Good afternoon.

Blackpool Tower is being evacuated after a fire broke out at the top of the iconic seaside landmark.

We’ll bring you live updates on this story as we get them.