Fire investigation 'will take weeks'

Firefighters battled the flames for four hours

Investigators say the cause of a fire which destroyed a seaside leisure complex will not be known for at least a fortnight.

The major fire at Grab City on the promenade in Blackpool completely destroyed the complex and more than 30 people had to flee their homes.

Andrew Mellor, station commander at Brispham fire station, said the investigation will take so long because dozens of people will have to be questioned.

"There is no doubt about it - it will be at least two or three weeks before we will be able to come to a preliminary cause of the fire," he told BBC News Online.

Woman rescued

"There are a lot of people involved because of the numerous lettings and sub-lettings in the complex and we need to speak to them all."

He added there was no way anyone could tell at the moment if the fire was suspicious.

The manageress of the complex had to be rescued from a flat at the back of the premises after the fire started at about 0030 BST on Monday.

Residents in nearby flats were also moved out and taken to a nearby hotel.

The fire took more than four hours to bring under control.

Roads closed

Lancashire Police said firefighters initially believed several people were trapped.

"Thirty people were evacuated from nearby flats and taken to a local hotel, after initially being taken to a McDonald's restaurant.

"Several other people were rescued from the nearby Pump and Truncheon public house."

He said the fire, which has led to road closures, had damaged buildings around Grab City.

Grab City was one of Blackpool's oldest buildings and was better known to many by its former name The Golden Nugget.