LONDON: Firefighters have been called to extinguish a blaze at London’s iconic Blackpool Tower which ultimately turned out be netting blowing in wind.
According to media reports the fire department was called after flames were seen emerging from a metal section close to the top of the iconic landmark on Thursday.
However, the police in a statement said the Police helicopter using thermal imaging found the blaze was actually just orange netting blowing in wind.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) deployed six fire engines and a rope rescue team soon after the reported blaze. While Lancashire Police officers were also called due to the incident.
Police asked the people to stay away from the area and ordered not to fly drones as this could obstruct emergency operations.
However, later the police said that the presumed blaze was in fact orange netting blowing in the strong winds.
Social media was full of videos showing flames on the structure, while firefighters were responding to the fire.
According to the police one man has been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and is being interrogated for spreading a false information.
Blackpool Tower was built between 1891 and 1894 and it is 519ft high. former Blackpool mayor Sir John Bickerstaffe proposed the idea of building a tower after a trip to Paris in 1889.
