People have been evacuated
The Eiffel Tower has been evacuated following reports of a fire, French media has said.
They reported that a fire had been spotted in one of the Paris landmark’s elevator shafts and people had been evacuated for their own safety, before adding that the fire had since been put out.
French journalist Julien Tellier, working for Boulevard Voltaire, wrote on social media that a fire had been seen in the Eiffel Tower elevator ‘between the first and second floors’.
He then added that around 1,200 people had been evacuated from the site and claimed that a police source had told them an ‘overheating of a cable’ had been the source of the flames.
Tellier then delivered the happier news that the fire had been brought under control and was now out.
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The Eiffel Tower has been evacuated after a fire, which has since been put out. (Getty Stock Photo)
That is good news for the Parisian landmark, and for the city itself considering Paris has had quite enough of its iconic landmarks burning down.
The city only just celebrated the reopening of Notre Dame after a terrible fire gutted the historic cathedral.
More to follow.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Topics: World News
Joe Harker
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Updated 07:06 12 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 15:50 11 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Eiffel Tower evacuated after man spotted climbing the iconic landmark
Police have evacuated the area after the man was seen scaling the iconic tower in Paris
The Eiffel Tower has been evacuated after a man was spotted climbing the structure.
The man, who was reportedly shirtless, was seen trying to climb the 1,083 foot tower on Sunday afternoon (11 August).
Police in Paris have now evacuated the area and escorted all tourists away from the landmark.
The man appeared to be climbing above the Olympic rings, and in videos posted on social media could be seen somewhere between the lower and middle decks.
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The man could be seen climbing the tower (X/OliLondonTV)
It’s not clear if he began climbing the tower from the ground level, or if he started from higher up.
In one video, a man can be heard saying: “There is a dude climbing the Eiffel tower he has just passed the blue ring, I don’t think he is wearing a shirt. Er, that’s crazy.”
And another said: “Not someone climbing the Eiffel Tower and making the whole place evacuate still had a good time nonetheless.”
🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Eiffel Tower EVACUATED after a shirtless man was spotted climbing up, hours before the Olympic Closing Ceremony. The man was spotted just above the Olympic rings on the tower, forcing police to evacuate all tourists over security concerns
A shirtless man could later be seen being escorted away from the tower by police, reportedly in handcuffs.
Apparently, he said ‘bloody warm innit’ as he passed by the camera.
A French police spokesperson told the Mirror: “At 2.45 pm, an individual was seen climbing the Eiffel Tower. The police immediately intervened and arrested the individual.”
Paris is preparing for the Olympics Closing Ceremony (Telmo Pinto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It comes as the city prepares for the Olympics Closing Ceremony, which is taking place on Sunday evening.
This year’s games have certainly been eventful.
We recently told you how Jordan Chiles has been stripped of her bronze Olympic medal following an inquiry into her score.
The Team USA athlete was gutted after her third place was revoked, with the medal now going to Romania’s Ana Barbosu.Featured Image Credit: X/OliLondonTV
Topics: World News, Olympics
Lucy Devine
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Updated 17:05 28 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 15:25 28 Dec 2023 GMT
breaking
Tourists evacuated as ‘fire’ starts at Blackpool tower
Firefighters have been called to tackle a blaze at Blackpool Tower
UPDATE 4.45PM 27 DECEMBER – Lancashire Fire and Rescue has confirmed there was no fire at Blackpool Tower and orange netting can be seen in video and pictures from the scene.
Full story here.
ORIGINAL STORY – Six fire engines have been called to attend a blaze at Blackpool Tower, with locals claiming that the top of the iconic tourist attraction is on fire.
Pictures and videos on social media from Blackpool residents appear to show that the top of the tower is indeed burning.
Fire at Blackpool Tower
Credit: X/@__harrietclegg/@RbinmanRichard
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Lancashire Fire and Rescue issued a statement confirming they have responded to calls of a fire, and have warned people to stay away from Blackpool Tower.
They also told people to keep drones away as they are flying their own around the area and don’t want to be distracted in their efforts to respond to the fire.
They said: “We have six fire engines, the drone team and the rope rescue team currently in attendance at a fire on Promenade, Blackpool.
“Please stay away from the area. The drone team are in operation so please do not fly drones in the area as you may obstruct emergency operations.”
X/@Gary_Cridland
Emergency services first shared an update about the incident at 2.14pm today (28 December).
This is not the first time there has been a concern about fire at the iconic Blackpool landmark.
Two years ago, the tower was evacuated after reports of smoke, with Lancashire Fire and Rescue deploying six fire engines that time as well.
Fire crews searched the building and found that the smoke had been caused by ‘an electrical issue in the basement of a neighbouring property’.
Opened to the public in 1894, Blackpool Tower has been a popular tourist attraction ever since it was finished.
It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, though it’s significantly shorter than its French counterpart, and is part of an entertainment complex that includes a circus and ballroom.
Twitter/@trimmbleaddams
The tower takes seven years to paint, and when the wind in Blackpool reaches speeds of 70mph, the top of the tower sways by an inch.
It’s one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, and often the first thing people think of when they think of Blackpool.
For now, tourists have been evacuated from the tower and locals warned to keep their distance to keep the roads clear and minimise any disruption to the emergency services.
According to the tower themselves: “Our iconic venue opened in 1894, where the first visitors stood in awe of the remarkable design, immense scale and ornate decorations.
“Even today, as attractions have evolved and developed within the Blackpool Tower, visitors are astounded by the remarkable World Famous Attraction’s unarguable wow factor.”Featured Image Credit: @carlbusby1/@timmbleaddams/Twitter
Topics: UK News
Joe Harker
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Updated 12:25 11 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 11:57 11 Jul 2024 GMT+1
breaking
Spire of iconic 1,000-year-old French landmark cathedral is on fire in shocking scenes
It is well-known for being painted by Claude Monet in the 19th century
The spire of an iconic 1,000-year-old French landmark cathedral is on fire in shocking scenes.
A security cordon is currently in place around the gothic cathedral in Rouen, Normandy. The site is perhaps best known for being painted multiple times by Claude Monet in the 19th century.
Images and clips on social media shows smoke billowing from what appears to be a scaffolding canopy on top of the famed building.
It caught fire today. (X/@KaplanBen_Fr)
The city’s mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, wrote on X this afternoon (11 July): “A fire has started on the spire of Rouen Cathedral. Origin unknown at this stage. All public resources are mobilised.”
Officials say the cathedral has been evacuated and emergency services are attending the scene.
It is reported that the blaze began in a section of the gothic cathedral where building works were taking place.
For the past several weeks, the spire has been surrounded by scaffolding and a white cover as users on X say it’s been undergoing ‘repair’.
A broadcast from the scene on BFM TV showed the dark plume of smoke rising from Rouen Cathedral’s spire as locals watch on from the streets below in horror of the iconic landmark’s situation.
The cathedral has been evacuated. (X)
The outlet also reported that a whopping 33 fire engines and 63 firefighters were in attendance as transport in the area is disrupted.
It is indicated the flames have now been distinguished as the dark smoke seems to reduce.
This fire in Normandy comes five years after a massive blaze notoriously toppled the spire and destroyed the roof of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
That incident shocked the world with the terrible scenes being streamed globally as emergency services battled with the devastating fire.
Now, the Notre Dame is still being restored but committed staff have been working in the hopes it will finally be completed on 8 December, 2024.Featured Image Credit: Kaplan/X/Clare Sweeney/X
Topics: World News, Europe
Jess Battison
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Updated 17:20 28 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 16:49 28 Dec 2023 GMT
Panic over as it turns out there was no fire at Blackpool Tower
The news that the iconic landmark in the seaside town was ablaze sparked serious panic among fans of the place.
Seaside lovers can stop sharpening their pitchforks, as it turns out there was no fire at Blackpool Tower.
The news that the iconic landmark in the Lancashire town was ablaze sparked serious panic among fans of the place, especially when six fire engines were sent to deal with it.
Fire at Blackpool Tower
Credit: X/@__harrietclegg/@RbinmanRichard
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Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service even had a rope rescue team and a drone on standby at the scene to aid in the response after the 518ft and 129-year-old tower was reported to be going up in smoke.
But rather than bright orange flames engulfing Blackpool Tower, it was merely a load of orange netting.
What a kerfuffle, eh?
According to emergency responders, concerned members of the public had alerted authorities about the alleged inferno this afternoon (28 December) ‘due to a combination of factors that led them to believe it was a fire’.
A statement shared on X by Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: “The area where the fire was suspected is generally inaccessible, therefore access to this area is difficult.
“A specialist team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service gained access and confirmed that there was no fire.
“This incident was supported by the National Police Air Service, who used thermal imaging which provided further assurance.”
X/@Gary_Cridland
Police in Blackpool also reassured the public there was no cause for concern, despite them dashing to the scene.
Chief Superintendent Karen Edwards said in a Facebook post: “We are at the scene in support of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Blackpool Council and Merlin Entertainment.
“The top of the tower is currently closed for renovation and difficult to access. Our helicopter has flown over the tower and there is no fire. We can confirm what can be seen is orange netting.
“One man has been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and is being transported to custody.”
Lancashire Fire and Rescue previously issued a statement confirming they had responded to calls of a fire and warned people to stay away from Blackpool Tower.
Locals were also ordered not to fly drones in the area as crews were sending their own up to assess the supposed damage, so they obviously didn’t want to be obstructed by unwanted air traffic.
Jason Wells/LOOP IMAGES/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
This is not the first time there has been a concern about a fire at the iconic Blackpool landmark.
Two years ago, the tower was evacuated after reports of smoke, with Lancashire Fire and Rescue deploying six fire engines that time as well.
Fire crews searched the building and found that the smoke had been caused by ‘an electrical issue in the basement of a neighbouring property’.
Opened to the public in 1894, Blackpool Tower has been a popular tourist attraction ever since it was finished.
It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, though it’s significantly shorter than its French counterpart, and is part of an entertainment complex that includes a circus and ballroom.
The tower took seven years to paint, and when the wind in Blackpool reaches speeds of 70mph, the top of the tower sways by an inch.
It’s one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, and often the first thing people think of when they think of Blackpool.