Volunteers offer support as Blackpool hotel burns down 

St John Ambulance volunteers sprung into action as a Blackpool hotel was destroyed in a fire.

Around 150 people were evacuated to a rest centre from holiday flats and a nightclub on Monday 26 July after the fire spread from a pub to the Grand Hotel.

The call for help was received at 12.15am on Monday night, and volunteers were at the rest centre by 12.40am. Those staying in nearby holiday flats and hotels were evacuated as a precaution, and taken to a rest centre staffed by St John Ambulance volunteers, as well as local authority workers and other voluntary organisations.

Volunteers supported the holidaymakers throughout the night, assisting with medication requirements and ensuring everyone remained well. They worked with GPs who attended to prescribe medication which people had left behind in the rush to evacuate. St John Ambulance volunteers nearby were also put on standby in case the situation worsened.

Shirley Procter, County Staff Officer for Emergency Response at St John Ambulance in Lancashire, said: ‘The most pressing problem we see is people who've forgotten their medication as they were evacuated. We haven't seen too many fire-related injuries, but our volunteers are ready to treat problems should they arise, as well as supporting people arriving at the rest centre. They've given up their own time to help out here through the night, and are doing a really great job'.