Crews tackle fire at theme park

The cause of the fire is being investigated

Part of a ride at Alton Towers theme park has been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters were called to tackle flames at the Cloud Cuckoo Land cable car station on the Skyride.

Six fire engines were sent to the Staffordshire attraction at 2230 BST on Tuesday and the fire was brought under control about four hours later.

The ride was closed at the time and no one was injured. Alton Towers said the ride would not reopen "for the foreseeable future".

In a statement, it said there were no employees or guests present at the time of the blaze and it was "brought under control quickly" by the fire service and park team.

It added the theme park was open, but some areas would have to be fenced off while the fire service investigated the cause.

Assistant area commander Andy Kinsman, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We don't believe at this stage there's anything untoward with the start of the fire.

"However, we've got to now look at CCTV footage and look at the procedures for closing down the station that Alton Towers staff go through."

A cable car base station at the attraction was hit by fire in October 2007.

Up to 50 firefighters were called on that occasion and it took crews most of the night to put it out.