Tourists flee as blaze hits hotel

Published Date: 09 July 2009
MORE than 30 firefighters tackled a hotel blaze in Blackpool after flames broke out in the early hours of this morning.

The fire started in the bar area of the Sydney Hotel in Albert Road and spread to the ground floor.

Guests from neighbouring hotels had to be evacuated amid fears the fire could spread.

The owner of the Sydney Hotel escaped from the building himself and, after a search of the premises, no-one else was found inside.

Six fire engines attended the incident just before 3.15am today.

Crew manager John Oates, of Blackpool Fire Station, said: "When we arrived we were confronted by a lot of smoke coming out of the front door and the owner was found at the rear of the property suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

"The fire had started in the basement bar area and flames had gone through the ceiling to the ground floor. We had to carry out a detailed search because we did not know if people were in the rooms.

"However, after a search of the whole hotel, we discovered no-one else in the property. We were able to contain the flames and prevent them spreading to neighbouring properties but they were evacuated."

The bar and dining area were completely burned out by the flames, while there was severe smoke damage caused to the ground floor and to the contents of the remainder of the hotel.

Fire crews were alerted by automatic alarms which went off in the Sydney Hotel and the adjacent premises.

Guests from neighbouring properties were given shelter in other hotels in Albert Road before being allowed back into their accommodation.

Firefighters remained at the scene for around three hours.

The owner of the Sydney Hotel was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he was kept in overnight.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation but is not being treated as suspicious.