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| Major fire destroys resort hotel | Major fire destroys resort hotel |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A hotel has been destroyed and hundreds of people were led to safety during a fire in Blackpool. | A hotel has been destroyed and hundreds of people were led to safety during a fire in Blackpool. |
| About 100 firefighters tackled flames at the six-storey Grand Hotel in Station Road on Monday night. | About 100 firefighters tackled flames at the six-storey Grand Hotel in Station Road on Monday night. |
| Some 100 people were evacuated from 60 holiday flats and a nightclub as a fire service spokesman described the scene as "like something from the Blitz". | Some 100 people were evacuated from 60 holiday flats and a nightclub as a fire service spokesman described the scene as "like something from the Blitz". |
| Police have closed Station Road and Lytham Road and the hotel is expected to be demolished. | Police have closed Station Road and Lytham Road and the hotel is expected to be demolished. |
| Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the area at 2150 BST on Monday. | Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the area at 2150 BST on Monday. |
| A spokesman said: "It's a scene of absolute devastation, the hotel was collapsing." | A spokesman said: "It's a scene of absolute devastation, the hotel was collapsing." |
| As well as leading people to safety from the nightclub and holiday flats, other buildings including guesthouses and hotels were evacuated as a precaution. | As well as leading people to safety from the nightclub and holiday flats, other buildings including guesthouses and hotels were evacuated as a precaution. |
| The spokesman added: "At the fire's height it looked like something from the Blitz. | The spokesman added: "At the fire's height it looked like something from the Blitz. |
| "It is not yet clear how the fire began but we are not ruling out arson." | "It is not yet clear how the fire began but we are not ruling out arson." |
| The building, made up of 52 self-contained flats, is currently for sale for £1.3m. | The building, made up of 52 self-contained flats, is currently for sale for £1.3m. |
| During the incident, floors and walls collapsed as firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames. | During the incident, floors and walls collapsed as firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames. |
| Nobody was injured and people left without a bed were taken to Palatine Sports Centre. | Nobody was injured and people left without a bed were taken to Palatine Sports Centre. |
| Fire investigators said they are 'not ruling out arson' | |
| More than a 250,000 litres of water was pumped from the Sandcastle Waterpark in the town to enable fire crews to bring the flames under control. | More than a 250,000 litres of water was pumped from the Sandcastle Waterpark in the town to enable fire crews to bring the flames under control. |
| Firefighters also had to tackle a number of smaller fires which began when embers and debris from the main fire were spread by strong winds, said the fire service. | Firefighters also had to tackle a number of smaller fires which began when embers and debris from the main fire were spread by strong winds, said the fire service. |
| Engineers from Blackpool Council will visit the site later to make a full assessment. | Engineers from Blackpool Council will visit the site later to make a full assessment. |
| Meanwhile, Lancashire Police are urging witnesses to come forward. | Meanwhile, Lancashire Police are urging witnesses to come forward. |
| Det Insp Frank Wamsley said: "We are particularly keen to trace two males and a female who were seen at the rear of the hotel last night. | Det Insp Frank Wamsley said: "We are particularly keen to trace two males and a female who were seen at the rear of the hotel last night. |
| "We want them to come forward to confirm that they are safe and well and to help us with our investigation." | "We want them to come forward to confirm that they are safe and well and to help us with our investigation." |
| Road closures remain in place on Withnell Road, Station Road and Lytham Road. | Road closures remain in place on Withnell Road, Station Road and Lytham Road. |
| Did you witness the fire? Send us your comments using form below. | Did you witness the fire? Send us your comments using form below. |
| You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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