22 Jan 2013
An investigation is under way to find out the cause of a fire that destroyed a hotel in the centre of Blackpool.
It took more than 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze at the Astoria Hotel on Albert Road, which is believed to have started in the laundry room on Sunday.
Neighbouring properties had to be evacuated due to the intensity of the fire, while Albert Road was shut off as Lancashire Fire Service cleared the area.
A spokesman revealed concerns over guests trapped inside the hotel and a gas cylinder at the top of the five-storey building.
No-one was thought to have been injured in the incident, but a dog is believed to have died.
Fire crews are still at the scene damping down the fire, while Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire Service are working together to find out exactly what happened.
Copyright Press Association 2013