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Gamblers flee blaze at casino
GAMBLERS were evacuated today when fire broke out at a Blackpool casino.
The blaze was sparked at Grosvenor Casino in the Sandcastle complex on Blackpool Promenade at around 3am.
A passer-by raised the alarm after spotting flames leaping out of the sign above the entrance.
Around 60 customers and staff were evacuated and firefighters tackled the blaze, which they believe was started by an electrical fault.
One customer told The Gazette he had to dodge drips of burning plastic as he left through the front exit, underneath the burning sign.
He said: "We were mid-game when a message came over the tannoy telling us to evacuate immediately.
"At first we didn't know why we were being evacuated. Then as we were being directed through reception we could smell burning plastic.
"As we left through the main doors I asked a member of staff what the problem was and he said 'look above your head'. It was then that I saw the flames."
Firecrews from South Shore and Bispham attended. Geoff Etheridge, watch manager, from South Shore said: "Everyone had been evacuated by the time we arrived. The fire was prevented from spreading due to the quick actions of the fire service."
rebecca.smith2@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: North west
