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Man arrested over Blackpool blaze Man arrested over Blackpool blaze
(40 minutes later)
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a major fire broke out in Blackpool town centre.A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a major fire broke out in Blackpool town centre.
The blaze, which started in an alley between Clifton Street and Talbot Square, damaged several businesses including Yates's Wine Lodge. The fire started in an alley between Clifton Street and Talbot Square and badly damaged several businesses, including Yates's Wine Lodge.
Lancashire police said the area, which is full of bars and restaurants, was well alight but the flames had been brought under control. Seven people, including a baby, had to be moved from nearby properties during the fire, which was in an area full of bars and restaurants.
At its height, about 100 firefighters tackled the blaze.At its height, about 100 firefighters tackled the blaze.
The arrested man will be questioned later. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation but there were no reports of any injuries.
Seven people, including a baby, had to be moved from nearby properties during the fire. Fire crews were alerted shortly after the fire broke out at 0316 GMT.
Smoke and ash 'Virtually destroyed'
Three people have been treated for smoke inhalation but there were no reports of any injuries.
Fire crews were alerted shortly after the fire broke out in the seaside town at 0316 GMT.
Chris Waters from Lancashire Fire and Rescue describes the operation at the scene
A witness said the area was full of smoke and ash.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Kathy Stacey said: "It's a very, very big fire for us in terms of its size and intensity.Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Kathy Stacey said: "It's a very, very big fire for us in terms of its size and intensity.
"We don't think there was anybody inside but as a precaution the Blackpool emergency planning team from the council evacuated seven people, including a young baby." "At this stage it's too early to say what the cause is."
She added: "At this stage it's too early to say what the cause is." Chris Waters from Lancashire Fire and Rescue describes the operation at the scene
Fire crews were damping down on Sunday afternoon, but Clifton Street, Talbot Road and Abingdon Street remained cordoned off. Assistant chief fire officer Peter O'Brien said: "An absolutely tragic day.
"What you've seen here is one of Blackpool's landmarks [Yates's Wine Lodge], a building that virtually everyone in the North West will be familiar with and it's been virtually destroyed."
Yates's Wine Lodge chief executive Toby Smith said he was upset about the damage.
"Really gutted at the moment. Just almost not wanting to ask the question too much, 'Exactly how much damage has been done?'
"But in the same way very determined to, you know, rebuild the site back up to its former glory."
Busy weekendBusy weekend
David Baker was with friends in a pub a few streets away when he said they smelt smoke and went outside to investigate. David Baker, a 28-year-old IT worker from Sheffield, was with friends in a pub a few streets away when he said they smelt smoke and went outside to investigate.
"You could smell the smoke inside the pub so we went outside and all the streets were filled with smoke and ash was falling from the sky," he said. "You could smell the smoke inside the pub so we went outside and all the streets were filled with smoke and ash was falling from the sky.
The 28-year-old IT worker from Sheffield managed to film the fire on his mobile phone. "We thought we would go and take a closer look and flames were coming out of the top of the building and out of the side."
"We thought we would go and take a closer look and flames were coming out of the top of the building and out of the side.
"There were quite a few people watching and cars had stopped in the street but you can't get anywhere near it now.
"There are fire engines everywhere and the fire hoses are running streets away from where the fire is."
The fire broke out on very busy a weekend for the resort, as tens of thousands of visitors descended on the town for the Shazam! circus and performance festival.The fire broke out on very busy a weekend for the resort, as tens of thousands of visitors descended on the town for the Shazam! circus and performance festival.
It is also the first weekend of the season for Blackpool Pleasure Beach.It is also the first weekend of the season for Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
A spokeswoman for Blackpool Council said the town was still open for business.A spokeswoman for Blackpool Council said the town was still open for business.
She said: "The fire is only affecting a small part of Blackpool, and all the Shazam! events at the Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens and Tower Circus remain unaffected, as will the street events and the pleasure beach.She said: "The fire is only affecting a small part of Blackpool, and all the Shazam! events at the Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens and Tower Circus remain unaffected, as will the street events and the pleasure beach.
"Yesterday was the first day of the festival, which was incredibly popular, and there is no reason for anyone not to come to Blackpool to enjoy themselves today.""Yesterday was the first day of the festival, which was incredibly popular, and there is no reason for anyone not to come to Blackpool to enjoy themselves today."
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