Firefighters tackle huge blaze at derelict Blackpool hotel
- Published
Huge plumes of smoke can be seen billowing from the derelict building
Firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a former seafront hotel.
Twelve fire engines attended the scene on Queen's Promenade, Blackpool, at the junction with King Edward Avenue, which started at about 14:45 BST.
Huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the four-storey building and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service warned the structure was "unstable".
People have been urged to avoid the area and the Promenade has been partially shut.
The tram service has been halted and several roads have been closed in the surrounding area.
The fire at a former hotel in Blackpool was captured by a drone
The fire service said four floors, the roof space and basement were well alight but had been brought under control.
If you can see or smell smoke, keep your windows and doors shut, it added.
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Incident Commander, Neil Taylor, said the high unsupported walls and the roof timbers were "severely affected" and there was concern about that combined with "extreme levels of heat" leading to collapse of the building.
He also asked people not to fly drones over the area as it could compromise the service's own drone.
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