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Huge blaze sparks mass evacuation Huge resort flat blaze suspicious
(about 1 hour later)
Dozens of people were moved from their homes during a major fire in a residential area of Blackpool. A huge fire that forced the evacuation of Blackpool residents is being treated as suspicious, police have said.
About 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which destroyed an unfinished block of flats in Talbot Road.About 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which destroyed an unfinished block of flats in Talbot Road.
The timber frame was surrounded by residential properties, some of which have been damaged.The timber frame was surrounded by residential properties, some of which have been damaged.
No-one was injured but 152 residents, many of them elderly, are being accommodated at Blackpool Sports Centre until the area is made safe. No-one was injured in the fire, at about 0345 BST, but 152 residents, many of them elderly, are being looked after at Blackpool Sports Centre.
The alarm was raised by a passing police officer at 0342 BST, who noticed smoke coming from the building. The alarm was raised by a passing police officer, who noticed smoke coming from the building.
We will be liaising with the Fire Service to establish the cause of the blaze Police spokesman Police are treating the fire as suspicious, however no cause has yet been established and an investigation is ongoing Police spokeswoman
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "The construction... was in the middle of a highly populated residential area, resulting in the evacuation. Lancashire Police have now confirmed that arson was being investigated as a cause.
"The fire is almost out, with crews checking for hot spots and dampening down." "Police are treating the fire as suspicious, however no cause has yet been established and an investigation is ongoing," a spokeswoman said.
Firefighters spent a number of hours tackling the blaze and crews have been checking for hotspots and damping down.
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "The construction... was in the middle of a highly populated residential area, resulting in the evacuation."
Police have closed Talbot Road and Devonshire Road through to Talbot Road and Lark Hill Street.Police have closed Talbot Road and Devonshire Road through to Talbot Road and Lark Hill Street.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays throughout the morning because it is the main route into the town.Motorists have been warned to expect delays throughout the morning because it is the main route into the town.
A spokesperson said the closures were likely to remain in place for a few hours while the fire service continued to dampen down. A spokesperson said closures were likely to remain in place for a few hours.
Diversions have been put in place down Caunce Street. Traffic is being diverted down Caunce Street.
"We will be liaising with the Fire Service to establish the cause of the blaze," a Lancashire Police spokesman said.
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