Blackpool Tower fire - live: Police say ‘fire’ at landmark attraction is orange netting

The Blackpool Tower Eye, the visitor attraction at the very top of the structure, was not open to visitors today, according to the tower’s website.

The tower first opened in May 1894, and has an entertainment complex at its base with attractions including the famous Tower Ballroom.

It is the 125th tallest freestanding tower in the world, and features a glass-floored “skywalk” at the top offering visitors views of Liverpool and the Isle of Man.

Blackpool Tower, built between 1891 and 1894, is modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and attracts more than a million visitors every year.

It is one of Britain’s 10 most popular fee-paying attractions.

The tower is a Grade I listed building and incorporates at its base a building containing attractions that include a world-famous ballroom and circus.

A fire appeared to break out at Blackpool Tower on Thursday 28 December, with emergency services called to the attraction, Oliver Browning reports.

Blackpool Police have since confirmed that the flames seen at the top of the tower are in fact orange netting, and that a man has been arrested for breach of the peace.

Chief Superintendent Karen Edwards said: “Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.”

In footage shared on social media, the netting could be seen at the top of the iconic structure, which opened in 1894.

Lancashire Fire & Rescue said: “The area where the fire was suspected is generally inaccessible, therefore access to this area is difficult. A specialist team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service gained access and confirmed that there was no fire.”

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A spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments, which runs the tower, said: “We can confirm that the fire brigade are on site at the Blackpool Tower and have established that there is no fire.

“Our well-rehearsed emergency procedures were implemented, and we can confirm that what looked like a fire from a distance was in fact lights on a reflective netting surface at the top of the tower.”

No smoke was reported but an investigation was carried out as a standard procedure, the company said.

The surrounding area was evacuated as a precaution.

The suspected fire was difficult to assess because the area where it was thought to have broken out was inaccessible, Amy Clare Martin reports.

Lancashire Fire & Rescue said: "Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Promenade, Blackpool today by concerned members of the public, due to a combination of factors that led them to believe it was a fire.

"The area where the fire was suspected is generally inaccessible, therefore access to this area is difficult. A specialist team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service gained access and confirmed that there was no fire."

Blackpool Police, part of Lancashire Police, confirmed a man had been arrested for breach of the peace and the flames seen are in fact orange netting, Amy-Clare Martin reports.

Divisional Commander Ch Supt Karen Edwards said: "We are at the scene in support of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Blackpool Council and Merlin Entertainment.

"The top of the tower is currently closed for renovation and difficult to access.

"Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.

"One man has been arrested on suspicion of Breach of the Peace and is being transported to custody."

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition was held at Blackpool Tower.

Isobel Lewis reports on the city’s dance history, and how ‘Blackpool Week’ became a ‘Strictly’ institution:

One witness told how he and his family saw police handcuff and arrest a man as the fire drama unfolded, Jane Dalton reports.

Philip Roberts said they saw officers chase a man across the street, before tackling him at the entrance to the dungeons.

“He put up a fight. Four police were trying to subdue him," he said.

“They wrestled him to the ground and I saw them take certain things off him and put them in a plastic bag.

“This man who was subdued was taken away in handcuffs in the police van.

“The police were absolutely amazing. Once they got him in the van everyone cheered.”

A magic and illusion show had been scheduled to take place at the Blackpool Tower Circus arena today, Barney Davis reports.

The High Jinx show, which included fire breathing, had been to start at 2.30pm - around 15 minutes after emergency services were called to the scene.

“Created by award-winning illusionist and magician Michael Jordan, High Jinx brings 90 minutes of sensational tricks, illusions, juggling, escapology and much more to The Blackpool Tower Circus,” the tower’s website says.

The Blackpool Tower Eye, the visitor attraction at the very top of the structure, was not open to visitors today, according to the tower’s website.

The tower first opened in May 1894, and has an entertainment complex at its base with attractions including the famous Tower Ballroom.

It is the 125th tallest freestanding tower in the world, and features a glass-floored “skywalk” at the top offering visitors views of Liverpool and the Isle of Man.