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Coastal arcade destroyed by fire | Coastal arcade destroyed by fire |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A large entertainment complex in Skegness, Lincolnshire, has been wrecked in a major fire. | A large entertainment complex in Skegness, Lincolnshire, has been wrecked in a major fire. |
Fire crews were called to The Parade in the centre of the town soon after 2300 BST on Thursday. | Fire crews were called to The Parade in the centre of the town soon after 2300 BST on Thursday. |
More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze which has damaged nightclubs, amusement arcades and restaurants. There are no reports of injuries. | More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze which has damaged nightclubs, amusement arcades and restaurants. There are no reports of injuries. |
Much of the structure has collapsed and crews are expected to remain at the scene for most of the day. | Much of the structure has collapsed and crews are expected to remain at the scene for most of the day. |
The blaze centred on the Lucky Strike arcade and Buster's Fun Pub. | The blaze centred on the Lucky Strike arcade and Buster's Fun Pub. |
Simon Nash, incident commander for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: "We have a deep-seated fire still occurring in the heart of the complex and it will take some time to damp it down. | Simon Nash, incident commander for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: "We have a deep-seated fire still occurring in the heart of the complex and it will take some time to damp it down. |
It looks like a bomb has hit the area Fred Hoyles, Ex-servicemen's club class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6951212.stm">Your pictures: Skegness fire "Because the roof has collapsed it has made it very hard to get to the heart of the fire." | |
He added: "Some of my colleagues have said they have never seen anything like it." | He added: "Some of my colleagues have said they have never seen anything like it." |
Office worker, David Smith, 19, said: "I was having a drink with some friends near the parade complex when police and bouncers came in and said we had to evacuate the building. | Office worker, David Smith, 19, said: "I was having a drink with some friends near the parade complex when police and bouncers came in and said we had to evacuate the building. |
"We were told it was a small fire so we weren't really worried about it. | "We were told it was a small fire so we weren't really worried about it. |
"But within 20 minutes the flames were sky high. We were all quite shocked. | "But within 20 minutes the flames were sky high. We were all quite shocked. |
"There were firefighters spraying the Embassy because there was burning debris being blown by the wind onto it. | "There were firefighters spraying the Embassy because there was burning debris being blown by the wind onto it. |
"It's really going to affect the nightlife because the parade is such a big part of that. | "It's really going to affect the nightlife because the parade is such a big part of that. |
"I think the holidaymakers are going to be a bit shocked when they come down." | "I think the holidaymakers are going to be a bit shocked when they come down." |
'Businesses suffering' | 'Businesses suffering' |
Water was pumped from two nearby swimming pools when supplies from the appliances ran low. | Water was pumped from two nearby swimming pools when supplies from the appliances ran low. |
The derelict Parade Hotel, which sits behind the modern arcade, has reportedly been badly damaged. | The derelict Parade Hotel, which sits behind the modern arcade, has reportedly been badly damaged. |
Businesses have said the incident comes on top of a summer already suffering after weeks of bad weather. | Businesses have said the incident comes on top of a summer already suffering after weeks of bad weather. |
The secretary of the nearby ex-servicemen's club, Fred Hoyles, said the fire had gutted premises that had been there for 100 years. | The secretary of the nearby ex-servicemen's club, Fred Hoyles, said the fire had gutted premises that had been there for 100 years. |
"It looks like a bomb has hit the area. There are these bits of brickwork standing on their own and lots of twisted metal," he said. | "It looks like a bomb has hit the area. There are these bits of brickwork standing on their own and lots of twisted metal," he said. |
"I am very upset. I've lived here for years and it's hard to see the town in this state." | "I am very upset. I've lived here for years and it's hard to see the town in this state." |
Do you have any pictures of the fire and its aftermath? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Do you have any pictures of the fire and its aftermath? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |