Two times a blaze at Blackpool Tower really DID threaten to burn it to the ground

There was panic for a short while yesterday after reports Blackpool's iconic tower was on fire. Thankfully, this wasn't the case after reported flames seen at the top of the structure turned out to be "orange netting".

After the possible blaze was first reported, people were evacuated from the surrounding area and six fire engines and the drone and rope rescue teams were sent to the scene. However, after a police helicopter flew over the tower no flames only the "orange netting" were spotted and the rescue teams stood down.

Thankfully this was a false alarm, but there have been two occasions in the past when a serious fire had damaged and even threated to destroy the beloved Blackpool landmark. Most recently, a serious blaze at the base of the tower completely destroyed the majestic Tower Ballroom.

For over eight hours, fire crews fought a blaze at the base of the tower on December 14, 1956. The famous ballroom where Strictly Come Dancing is stages their traditional Blackpool week every year was completely burned out.

Fire fighters and six fire engines fought the flames and dense smoke in a desperate attempt to stop the fire spreading. Even after six hours underneath the tower was still blazing and the order was given to "wreck the ballroom floor"

The Manchester Evening News reported: "60 firemen tackled the tough floor with axes, crowbars, and saws, sending it hurtling into the café below in a shower of sparks. Beneath the floor, girders and supports were bent and twisted by heat and water-pressure."

The last pockets of fire were reported to have been dampened down, eight hours after the first the tower's company fireman, Walter Hirst, raised the alarm after smelling smoke coming from a bar underneath the ballroom.