Shocked residents today told of the terrible moment they thought they would be trapped by the blaze which destroyed one of Blackpool's most iconic buildings.

More than 100 firefighters were drafted in as flames ripped through the historic Yates's Wine Lodge and shopping arcade at the junction of Clifton Street and Talbot Road.

The fire – which police believe could be arson – broke out just after 3am yesterday.

It is thought to have started at the rear of one of the shops and spread through the roof of the neighbouring three-storey Yates's building. Flames spread with such speed and ferocity fire crews could not stop them before they swept through 100 yards of property, destroying the Victorian Yates's building and other businesses.

Yates's assistant manager Mike Gawecki told how he led staff to safety as they were locking up the premises which had closed at 2am. All the customers had left the pub, but four staff were still inside when they suddenly realised something was wrong.

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Mr Gawecki said: "It was a nightmare. There were flames shooting up out of the roof and everything was collapsing down, floor after floor.

"The fire spread very fast – black smoke was everywhere. It was very frightening. We went to open the doors and smoke was everywhere. We couldn't see anything."

Residents living in flats above shops on Talbot Road were evacuated.

They spoke of how they could only watch as flames – whipped up by strong sea winds – swept down the road at a terrifying rate.

Peter Evans, 43, who lives just yards from the fire, said: "When I came out, the flames were sky high - shooting out above the building and there was black smoke everywhere.

"It was very frightening, but people remained calm.

"Considering my flat is so close to the fire, and when you see the damage done to the building now, I feel lucky to have got out."

Carl Tamasa, 28, who was also evacuated from his flat in Talbot Road, added: "The flames were roaring. We saw Yates's, level by level, setting on fire from the top down.

"It was all ablaze and the sky was just orange. There has been so much smoke that there is ash even in Abingdon Street.

"We were taken into the Sacred Heart Church. The fire brigade and the police were brilliant, as were the church."

Brendan Green, 23, of Talbot Road, said: "I heard a commotion so I looked out of the window, and saw smoke everywhere, and
firemen running away from huge flames because they couldn't get anywhere near them.

"One of them was frantically gesturing for me to get out. Then he hammered on everybody's doors to get them out.

"Embers were flying out and reaching Abingdon Street. The seat of a motorbike parked on that street was completely melted because of the sparks."

James Ryan, 24, also from the Talbot Road flats, said: "The flames were making their way down the street and we were all really worried it would reach our flats.

"The scene outside was really bizarre – there was a rabbit in a cage in the middle of the road, that had been rescued from a flat."

Alan Kirby, 51, from Talbot Road, said: "The flames were making their way down the street and we were all really worried it would reach our flats."

Chloe Patfield, 17, was evacuated from flats on Abingdon Street with her partner John Clarke, 21. She said: "Our flat is secluded and we only came out through curiosity because we heard alarms everywhere.

"It was the scariest moment ever. I couldn't see my hands because of the thick smoke, and we all had to hold on to each other so we didn't get lost. Flames were spreading fast.

"The firemen were amazing though."

Seven people – including a baby – were evacuated. They were led to nearby Sacred Heart and St John's Church Hall, where volunteers handed out tea and biscuits.

Canon Bob Dewhurst, of Sacred Heart Church, said: "There were around 20 people on the pavement who had been evacuated, and by this time huge flames were licking up the side of Yates's. The firemen were surrounding Yates but couldn't get in. Then the dome collapsed. It was quite a sight."