More than 40 firefighters from across Lancashire were called to the Revill's Hotel on North Promenade shortly after 5.30pm yesterday.

There were reports a man had been seen at the rear of the Revill's shortly before the fire started although a search of the property found no-one inside.

Local residents and day trippers watched as flames shot through the roof and smoke billowed from windows of the disused property.

At one stage it was feared the fire – the cause of which is being treated as suspicious – could have spread to neighbouring hotels and guest houses.

Police sealed off several roads at the height of rush hour as fire crews got into the hotel and battled the flames.

Firefighters fought what has been described as a serious fire on the first floor of the five-storey building.

The Prom was closed between Springfield Road and Cocker Street, with police erecting traffic diversions.

The hotel has been empty for a number of years although the apartments block next door was evacuated as a precaution while crews tackled the blaze.

The fire spread from the first to the second floor and crews in an aerial platform were forced to smash windows to get access to it.

Police today confirmed they were treating the blaze as possible arson.

Pick up a copy of Thursdays' Gazette to find out why locals thought the fire was an accident waiting to happen.