Towering inf..er,no!

Fire crews' 999 dash as orange netting causes false alarm at landmark

- PAUL BYRNE and HOLLIE BONE

FIRE crews rushed to Blackpool Tower yesterday after "flames" were seen licking the top of the 129-year-old landmark.

Worried members of the public raised the alarm, fearing for the 518ft structure in the Lancashire resort.

Six fire engines were deployed as a police helicopter hovered above and the streets below were cordoned off.

The tower and surrounding buildings were evacuated and the public were warned to stay away. But thermal imaging equipment in the chopper could not detect a blaze.

And it turned out to be a false alarm the glow was caused by orange netting flapping in the wind.

Lights on the iconic building had illuminated the material, tricking passers-by into raising the alarm.