BLACKPOOL’S North Pier was evacuated after its front sign caught fire.

Flames were spotted coming from the sign by a passing taxi driver, who raised the alarm around 8pm on Saturday. An evacuation followed with  the few remaining customers  asked to leave the building. Three fire engines, two from Blackpool and one from Bispham, were sent to the scene.
Watch manager Peter Haslem, from Blackpool Fire Station, said the situation could have been much worse, but the stillness of the weather meant the fire had not spread.

He said: “The fire involved the fascia signage, made of illuminated discharge tubes, on the Pier at the front.