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Huge resort flat blaze suspicious Huge resort flat blaze suspicious
(about 6 hours later)
A huge fire that forced the evacuation of Blackpool residents is being treated as suspicious, police have said. A fire which forced the evacuation of a Blackpool residential area is being treated as suspicious, police 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 were damaged.
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. No-one was injured in the fire, at about 0345 BST. A number of roads will stay closed over the weekend, and some residents are unable to return home.
About 152 residents, many of them elderly, were evacuated to Blackpool Sports Centre.
Talbot Road will remain closed overnight with buses operating a diverted route.
Alternative accommodation
A number of residents who live in St Antony's Place and some properties near the fire on Talbot Road have not yet been able to return to their homes, and some properties may be unavailable for some time, a council spokesman said.
The majority of residents have been found alternative accommodation.
Building control officers from Blackpool Council are assessing the properties affected by the fire.
The alarm was raised by a passing police officer, who noticed smoke coming from the building.The alarm was raised by a passing police officer, who noticed smoke coming from the building.
Police are treating the fire as suspicious, however no cause has yet been established and an investigation is ongoing Police spokeswomanPolice are treating the fire as suspicious, however no cause has yet been established and an investigation is ongoing Police spokeswoman
Lancashire Police have now confirmed that arson was being investigated as a cause. Lancashire Police confirmed that arson was being investigated as a cause.
"Police are treating the fire as suspicious, however no cause has yet been established and an investigation is ongoing," a spokeswoman said. A spokeswoman said: "Police are treating the fire as suspicious, however no cause has yet been established and an investigation is ongoing."
Firefighters spent a number of hours tackling the blaze and crews have been checking for hotspots and damping down.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."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. Motorists have been warned to expect delays 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 closures were likely to remain in place for a few hours.
Traffic is being diverted down Caunce Street.
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