Amidst a great storm on the Fylde coast this evening, a huge fire hit the Pleasure Beach with flames reported at 10:30pm. It was not brought under control until after midnight.
The new for last year Pleasure Beach Express miniature railway was the main casualty of the blaze, with the station and engineering workshops destroyed. Several sideshows including Walford Bodie’s Electric Theatre were also damaged.
Although the damage is extensive and expected to run into many thousands of pounds, a heroic effort from park workers ensured that some precious assets were pushed down the track out of harm’s way. The Carol Jean locomotive and several passenger coaches are thought to have been significantly damaged.
The blaze is believed to have started in the potato crisp saloon located near the railway facade. Investigations are continuing.