Blackpool Tower goes up in flames as firefighters and specialist climb team are called to historic landmark

Blackpool Tower is on fire with six fire engines and a specialist climbing team called to the iconic landmark. 

Pictures and videos show flames and smoke coming from the top of the 520ft cast iron structure, just above a viewing area known as the Blackpool Tower Eye.

Witnesses described ‘absolute chaos’ at the site, while a spokesman for the attraction said several people had been evacuated.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said six fire engines and a drone team are in attendance and asked people to ‘stay away’. 

One onlooker said fire engines had arrived at the tower in a ‘matter of minutes’. 

Pictures shared on social media appearing to show flames coming from the top of Blackpool Tower 

One witness posted on Facebook saying: ‘Blackpool tower on fire’ while another wrote: ‘Top of Blackpool Tower is on fire!!!’

Crowds gathering near the landmark today as firefighters seek to douse the flames 

‘It’s been absolute chaos down here – people don’t expect something like this to happen to such a famous building,’  they told Lancashire Live.

‘You can smell smoke down on the street and see what looks like flames coming from where I think the viewing platform is.

‘We heard everyone inside had been evacuated. I hope nobody was hurt.’

A specialist climbing team have arrived on the scene.

There is heavy traffic in roads near the Tower after the surrounding area was cordoned off. 

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We have 6 fire engines, the drone team and the rope rescue team currently in attendance at a fire on Promenade, Blackpool.

‘There may be significant disruption so please stay away from the area.

‘The drone team are in operation so please do not fly drones in the area as you may obstruct emergency operations.’

The Tower dates from 1894 and was the brainchild of Sir John Bickerstaffe, one of the former Mayors of Blackpool who became inspired after visiting The Eiffel Tower in Paris. 

It is well known to viewers of Strictly Come Dancing, with the Tower Ballroom hosting the annual Blackpool special. 

The flames are coming from the top of the structure, just above a viewing area known as the Blackpool Tower Eye

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said six fire engines and a drone team are in attendance and asked people to ‘stay away’

The Tower was the brainchild of Sir John Bickerstaffe, one of the former Mayors of Blackpool who became inspired after visiting The Eiffel Tower in Paris

Dianne Buswell and Bobby Brazier taking part in this year’s Strictly special in Blackpool  

It is well known to viewers of Strictly Come Dancing, with the Tower Ballroom hosting the annual Blackpool special 

The Tower Ballroom reopened in 2021 following a £1.1million refurbishment after it was damaged by flames  

The Tower Ballroom reopened in 2021 following a £1.1million refurbishment.

The work uncovered some incredibly rare and unusual finds – all discovered in the angel figures adorning the ballroom ceiling.

These have included newspapers dating back to 1911, old cigarette packs which would be museum pieces today and even an old walking stick, believed to date back to the early fifties.

The renovation works took place following an earlier fire in the building, which caused severe damage to the ballroom. 

In 2018, up to 12 people were left stranded at the top of the Tower after a fire broke out. 

Up to 12 people are stranded at the top of Blackpool Tower after a fire broke out at the iconic landmark.

It later emerged that contractors working on the roof of the building at the base of the tower started a small fire which triggered the smoke alarm.

The Tower Ballroom was built between 1897 and 1898 to the designs of Frank Matcham who also designed Blackpool Grand Theatre and it opened in 1899

A much larger fire in December 1956 destroyed part of the ballroom’s dance floor and a restaurant underneath. Restoration took two years and cost £500,000. 

The Tower Ballroom was built between 1897 and 1898 to the designs of Frank Matcham who also designed Blackpool Grand Theatre and it opened in 1899. 

Dancing was not originally allowed on Sundays, instead, sacred music was played.

Other rules included ‘gentlemen may not dance unless with a lady’ and that ‘disorderly conduct means immediate expulsion’.

While the rules have relaxed, the venue is still regarded as one of the country’s premier ballroom dancing venues.