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Probe into £3m Inferno
AN ARSON investigation has been launched into the blaze which ripped through Blackpool holiday flats.
And loss assessors have estimated the damage could cost as much as 3m.
Council contractors moved in yesterday to start demolishing the building.
More than 100 firefighters battled throughout Monday night to save The Grand holiday flats – which were on the market for 1.3m.
Duggie Green, from Blackpool loss assessors Bell Green, said: "Looking at the amount of damage to the terraced building I would put the damage at around 3m."
Council chiefs made the decision yesterday afternoon to demolish the landmark building after it was deemed unsafe.
John Taylor, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "The building was in a very precarious state and a decision was made to demolish the rest of it before it collapsed.
"The structural damage is massive to the building as once the fire took hold the age of the building meant it spread very quickly.
"There is a lot of work to be done at the scene. We cannot rule out the prospect of it being arson."
Police and fire investigators spent the day scouring the devastated scene on Station Road for evidence.
Officers are now appealing for two men, believed to be in their late teens or early 20s, and a woman, who were seen at the rear of The Grand on Monday night, to come forward.
Det Insp Frank Walmsley said: "At this stage the cause of the fire is unknown and we are liaising with the fire service to carry out an investigation.
"I would urge anyone with any information regarding the fire to contact the police to assist us with our enquires.
"We are particularly keen to trace two men and a woman who were seen at the rear of the hotel.
"We are currently studying at CCTV of the area which we hope will give us some evidence as to how it began.
"We want them to come forward to confirm they are safe and well and to help us with our investigation."
It is believed the blaze started in one of the apartments on an upper floor of the property at around 10pm and spread quickly through the terraced building.
The four-storey former holiday flats – which were once the biggest self-contained apartments on the Fylde – were up for sale with Blackpool-based Duxbury Commercial estate agents.
The ferocious blaze tore through the flats and destroyed the boarded up Station pub on the ground floor, as well as the roof of the neighbouring Paris Casino on Station Road.
More than 240 people were evacuated from the surrounding area and several are still waiting for emergency accommodation at the council's rescue centre at Palatine Leisure Centre.
A spokesman for Blackpool Council said: "Fire damage has left the remaining structure unsafe and the council has decided that immediate action needs to be taken."
The Grand holiday flats date back to the 1880s and were bought by Blackpool businessman Max Smith in 1978 from brewery giant Bass and converted into 35 self-contained flats, adding a further 15 two years later.
In 1988, his son, also called Max, added a swimming pool, sauna and solarium, which was popular with tourists across the UK.
The building was still in operation last year. It is no longer owned by Mr Smith.
Duxbury Commercial Estate Agents were unable to confirm who the current owners of the building are.
Lytham Road between Withnell Road and Dean Street, Station Road and Withnell Street will remain closed until further notice.
A diversion route is in place via Waterloo Road, St Annes Road and Watson Road. Buses 2,5,10,11 and 16 will operate on this route.
Ring Blackpool Transport (01253 473000) for details.
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 27 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South west
