Waterloo road fire: Pictures reveal severity and aftermath of devastating blaze
New pictures reveal the scale of a major blaze which left businesses devastated and residents displaced.
Plumes of smoke could be seen as a fire broke out at a commercial property on Waterloo Road, on Friday night (February 6).
Fifteen pumps were in attendance at the scene of the incident after the initial call at 11.30pm, with firefighters continuing to tackle the blaze throughout Saturday (February 7).
In a statement on Saturday morning (February 7), kids play area Smart Play Blackpool said: “We are absolutely devastated to share that there has been a fire at the play area. At this time, the building and play area have been completely destroyed.”
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) described the scene as “complex” due to the “severity of the fire”, with another business owner stating his shop is “in bits”.
In a video on Saturday (February 7), the owner of Smart Mart said: “It was Smart Mart that was on fire and the gaff's in bits. More importantly, no one’s hurt.”
Numerous other buildings were also evacuated, with residents relocated from their homes.
In an update at around 11.00pm on Saturday night, Lancashire Fire and Rescue service said road closures remain in place on Gordon Street, Waterloo Road between the junctions of Bond Street and Moore Street, and Rawcliffe Street between the junctions of Bond Street and Moore Street.
Alongside the update, the fire service shared images of the fire and the devastating aftermath.
A spokesperson said: “Throughout the day, firefighters have remained at the scene tackling hotspots, damping down and ensuring the fire is surrounded. We have gradually reduced the number of appliances in attendance and this evening we have two fire engines and an aerial ladder platform remaining.
“The scene is complex given the size of the premises, severity of the fire and structural stability. We will continue to monitor and firefight throughout the night and into the morning. The cordon has been reduced, with some residents relocated from properties in close proximity to the affected building.”
They added: “We will continue to work with partners agencies to support residents and businesses, and bring the incident to a safe conclusion as quickly as possible. We would like to thank the local community for their kinds words and understanding whilst we deal with this complex incident.”
The Blackpool Gazette has contacted LFRS for a further update.