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Business owners 'heartbroken' after huge fire

Rumeana JahangirNorth West
News imageBeacon News Red-lit smoke can be seen above a rainy street, as onlookers gather to watch a fire service aerial platform tackling the blaze, with a police car also in the foregroundBeacon News
Firefighters spent most of the early hours of Saturday tackling the blaze

Firefighters have been tackling a huge blaze at a commercial premises in Blackpool.

Fifteen engines were called to the scene in Waterloo Road at about 23:30 GMT on Friday - with crews still there into Saturday morning.

Smart Play Blackpool said their indoor play area had been "completely destroyed" by the fire.

They added that all deposits would be refunded, saying: "This place was built with so much love, hard work and dedication, and we are truly heartbroken."

News imageBlackpool 999s A police car is parked outside the corodned area with fire engine in background and apparatus hosing down the smoks over shops and premises at night.Blackpool 999s
Fifteen fire engines rushed to the scene of the fire in Waterloo Road

The furniture store Smart Mart Blackpool said "no one was hurt and we wish to thank all the emergency services that attended".

"We are all a little lost for words right now and need some time to absorb," they added.

One local resident said: "I could see the flames in the sky as the fire caused an orange glow and smoke filled sky.

"There were flames almost as big as buildings, which was so scary to see."

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