Blackpool Tower ‘fire’ just orange netting blowing in wind, say police
Emergency services were scrambled to a “fire” that had apparently broken out at the top of Blackpool Tower on Thursday – only to discover it was orange netting blowing in the wind.
Witnesses reported seeing flames at the top of the landmark at around 2pm, sparking a large emergency response.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service deployed six fire engines, drones, and a “rope rescue” team to the scene. A National Police Air Service helicopter with a thermal imaging unit, and police officers, were also deployed.
As the drama unfolded, visitors on the promenade expressed confusion as to why the fire service had arrived because no smoke could be seen coming from the Tower.
At the same time, a man was arrested at the base of the building by officers from Lancashire Constabulary for breach of the peace, adding to the chaos.
Pictures and video on social media, however, gave the appearance of flames on the 158-metre structure.
The building was evacuated as a precaution and a specialist team of firefighters made their way up to the Tower, which is currently undergoing restoration work.
At 4.28pm, a police spokesman confirmed that the 129-year-old structure was not on fire, saying: “We are at the scene in support of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Blackpool council and Merlin Entertainments.
“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.”
A spokesman for the fire service said it had been called to the scene by “concerned members of the public” who “due to a combination of factors” believed the landmark was on fire.
They added: “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.”
A spokesman for Merlin Entertainments, which runs the Tower, said that it had implemented its “well-rehearsed emergency procedures”, adding: “What looked like a fire from a distance was in fact lights on a reflective netting surface at the top of the Tower.”
The incident caused traffic problems on the promenade, with heavy jams on nearby roads.
Built between 1891 and 1894, Blackpool Tower is now a Grade I listed building. It was first opened to the public in May 1894, and at the time was the tallest man-made structure in the British Empire.
The top of the Tower did catch fire in 1897, when the platform was seen in flames from up to 50 miles away.
In 2018, several people became trapped at the top and had to be rescued.
05:08 PM GMT
Suspected 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 GMT
Blackpool 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.
04:13 PM GMT
Pictured: Crowds and firefighters at Blackpool Tower amid blaze
03:52 PM GMT
History 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.
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 GMT
Specialist 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 GMT
Watch: Blackpool Tower on fire
Blackpool tower on fire #blackpooltoweronfire pic.twitter.com/GLjeUlh1yJ
— Scott McDonald (@sked03) December 28, 2023
03:40 PM GMT
Pictured: Blaze at Blackpool Tower
03:32 PM GMT
Six 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.”
