A 21 year old man has been charged with aggravated arson and remanded in custody following a large fire in Blackpool city centre on Sunday which destroyed the historic Yates Wine Lodge, and gutted or severely damaged several other premises including a pet shop, a nightclub and a Subway sandwich shop.
More than 100 firefighters tackled the fire, which broke out just after 3.00am on Sunday morning. Seven people, including a baby, had to be evacuated as the fire spread quickly through the roof of a shop in Clifton Street to Yates next door, which had only recently re-opened after a GB pound 500,000 restoration. Firefighters used pumps mounted on aerial ladders to surround and control the fire and to prevent it from spreading to other shops and restaurants.
Since the fire, the Yates building has been partially demolished and council officials are advising neighbouring cafes and restaurants with food contamination issues.
Blackpool Police are appealing for people who were in the Clifton Street area at the time to come forward with any more information.
