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Casino owner: 'I've lost everything'
THE boss of a Blackpool casino left severely damaged by a huge blaze today said: "I've lost everything."
Pierre Coulon was one of hundreds of people forced to flee the flames when the neighbouring Grand holiday apartments were razed to the ground on Tuesday morning.
The boss of Blackpool's Paris Casino said: "The whole place has been gutted, not by the fire but by the amount of water which has been used to extinguish the fire next door.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw the intensity of the fire. I knew the casino would be in trouble. I'm completely devastated by the blaze.
This place was my life, I've lost everything. The firemen cannot even tell me how badly damaged it is inside, but I know the roof has caved in so it will be gutted.
"The equipment inside has been destroyed and I've been told the staff room on the left hand side of the casino will have to be demolished."
Sixty of Mr Coulon's staff are now left in limbo. Sixteen were in work when the fire broke out at the venue, along with around 50 casino-goers.
Mr Coulon will have a meeting with his partners and insurers tomorrow to discuss the future of the business.
He added: "I do not know what the future will be. Every day I watch them douse it more with water and wonder what will happen. It will take time that is for sure. I am devastated for my loyal staff. They have been excellent and the way they conducted themselves on the night of the fire was brilliant."
The fire at the landmark Blackpool Grand building, which is thought to have started in the back of the property just before 10pm on Monday, is estimated to have caused 3m of damage. An arson probe has been launched.
Only the garage on the ground floor has been saved and there are still fears over the safety of the building.
Due to the fragile structure, firefighters have been unable to enter the building and say it is unlikely they will be able to do so until next week.
Det Insp Frank Walmsley, of Blackpool Police, said: "Up to this point the fire service have been damping down the scene, but we have been down for a look and the cause of the fire remains uncertain.
"We are getting a scientist out to have a look at it and he will investigate how and where the fire began.
"We are keeping an open mind on how it started, it could have been arson but it may have been an electrical fault, in which case it would not be a police matter. I want to hear from a group of young people seen two hours before, apparently 'messing about'."
Steve Roberts, watch manager at South Shore, said: "We don't know how much damage has been done by the fire to the casino as it is too dangerous to enter the building at the moment.
"We have to make sure the Grand is demolished before we get into the casino. If part of the Grand collapses there is a danger of a domino effect on the rest of the structure."
Blackpool Council is providing emergency housing in hotels across the resort for people from 46 households, who are still unable to return to their homes after the blaze.
Police are searching for two men – believed to be in their late teens or early 20s. They were seen near The Grand buildings around the time the fire started.
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Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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