Blackpool fire: Warning issued as huge blaze rips through New Hacketts Hotel on seafront

FIREFIGHTERS in Blackpool have issued an urgent warning as a huge blaze continues to rip through the New Hacketts hotel on the seafront.

Twelve fire engines, two aerial ladders and a drone team are at the scene after residents reported seeing large gusts of smoke from 3pm.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have currently got 8 fire engines and 2 aerial ladder platforms responding to a building fire on Queens Promenade, Blackpool.

“If you can see or smell smoke, keep your windows and doors shut.

In a recent update, a spokesman added: “There are now 12 fire engines at the incident as well as the drone team.

“There are road closures on the Promenade. Please avoid the area.”

The hotel suffered a fire last monthrequiring six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform.

New Hacketts Hotel closed in 2018 and has become a magnet for burglars and fly-tippers.

Its ground floor was boarded up in the summer 2020 following a major blaze across four floors – before another fire ripped through the hotel in December that year.