More than 100 firemen tackled the inferno on the promenade as buildings collapsed around them.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Gerry O'Neill said his men had been called out shortly after midnight to what appeared to be a small blaze in a neon light on the outside of an amusement arcade.
But when they arrived a severe fire was burning inside the building. At the time, Mr O'Neill said: "Although it was a rainy night, the high winds fanned the fire and caused it to spread. My men were faced with buildings which were collapsing as they fought to save the wax works. This was a very, very big fire which started after midnight and went on for six more hours." An investigation into the blaze later concluded it had been an arson attack which led to the imprisonment of four people. These pictures bring back the horror of that night…
We love taking you on a trip down memory lane looking back at people and places through the decades - from long, lost boozers to memorable moments in time and much, much more - sign up to our NEW newsletter here
But when they arrived a severe fire was burning inside the building. At the time, Mr O'Neill said: "Although it was a rainy night, the high winds fanned the fire and caused it to spread. My men were faced with buildings which were collapsing as they fought to save the wax works. This was a very, very big fire which started after midnight and went on for six more hours." An investigation into the blaze later concluded it had been an arson attack which led to the imprisonment of four people. These pictures bring back the horror of that night…
![Firefighters dealing with the last of the flames at Grab City](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZjZDhhZDljLWU3N2ItNGIyMy05MGE1LTgyYjI4NmIxMjExYjpmZjc0MDdlOC02N2NiLTRiODEtOThjNy1jYjdjYmUzY2ViOWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Grab City Fire
Firefighters dealing with the last of the flames at Grab City Photo: Mike Foster
![This was how The Gazette reported the fire, the day after](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM1ODAxODQzLTA0Y2MtNDEyZi05NTgyLWJhZWQ3ZDhlYTRhMDo0MzYyNTBjOC0xMWEyLTQ5OGYtODJjZS1hNGFiNGU0YTNlNGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Grab City Fire
This was how The Gazette reported the fire, the day after Photo: Mike Foster
![The aftermath of the fire](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkxZGViMTFiLTM5ZDItNDJkNy05MDQwLWY4MDI0YmM2ODk5ZjozMmI1ZGRmMy02ZThlLTQ5NmMtOTFlOC1mOTU1ZGRlY2M1MzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![Blackpool Promenade had to be partially closed due to debris](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUxNzdlZGQ5LTVjMGUtNDM4Yi1hY2Q4LWU1NzczNmYxMzVkYzpkOGVmNDZiMy00NGI1LTRlOWQtOTZjZi01YmRlOWFkMGY2MGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Grab City Fire
Blackpool Promenade had to be partially closed due to debris Photo: Rob Lock
![Fire crews damping down at Grab City. The Pump and Truncheon pub is in the foreground](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk4OTI5MTdjLWNiNDMtNGRlMy1hZDUwLWMyZDBhYjExZWI5MDpjZjliZjdiYy1jYmI3LTQ5M2MtYjYzYy0wN2Y0NGExNzExZWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Grab City Fire
Fire crews damping down at Grab City. The Pump and Truncheon pub is in the foreground Photo: Martin Bostock
![View of the devastated area looking towards Central Pier](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY3YzA2OWI0LTgyNDAtNDc5YS05NDMyLTk0ODlhMDdiMGE4ODozMjZhYTdhMi0yNmJkLTRkNDktYTRmMy0wZTA2ZDljMzJhZWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Grab City Fire
View of the devastated area looking towards Central Pier Photo: Rob Lock