Fire engulfs former Blackpool Central Club
A major fire has engulfed the derelict former Central Working Men’s Club in Blackpool, with emergency services battling the blaze throughout Saturday, June 21, 2025, and into the night. Smoke was reported as far away as Weeton with a thick plme engulfing nearby streets and further into blackpool for most of the afternoon. The incident, at the building located on Kent Street (Behind the former odeon site on Rigby Road), has required a significant response from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) and other agencies, leading to local evacuations and widespread disruption.

Fire Erupts at Historic Site
The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:40 PM, quickly taking hold of the complex, derelict structure. The building, once a vibrant hub for the community as the Central Working Men’s Club, now contains a large quantity of waste and its dilapidated state has made it incredibly challenging for firefighters to tackle the blaze from within.

Massive Emergency Response
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service deployed a substantial number of resources to the scene:
- More than Eight fire engines were in attendance but LFRS initially reported a response of 8.
- Two aerial ladder platforms were utilized to douse the flames from above.
- The LFRS drone team was deployed, providing crucial aerial intelligence to incident commanders.
- Two specialist stinger units (known for their powerful water jets and robotic arms capable of penetrating into roof spaces and some walls) were brought in, deemed essential due to the dangers of entering the building. While a specific breakdown of two Scorpion units or one from Lancaster could not be independently verified from public reports, the deployment of such specialized assets underscores the severity.
- A Rosenbauer RTE Firefighting Robot was also seen deployed at the scene of the fire
- An Incident Command Unit was established, serving as the central hub for coordinating the complex firefighting operation.

Incident Commander Kirsty McCreesh, LFRS Duty Incident Manager, stated that crews were expected to remain on scene throughout the night due to the scale of the fire and the challenges posed by the building’s condition. Blackpool Police were also on scene, assisting with road closures and urging the public to avoid the area, particularly Seasiders Way, Kent Road, and the South Shore area.
A large plume of smoke has affected the local area, with residents advised to keep windows and doors shut to minimize exposure. The photo below taken by Daniel Johnson a local wedding photographer and videographer demonstrates the extent of the smoke plume perfectly.

Evacuations and Community Impact
As a precautionary measure due to the intensity of the fire and the smoke, a number of nearby properties were evacuated with local residents being offered refuge in a nearby church.

The Former Life of Central Working Men’s Club
The building at the centre of the blaze was formerly the Central Working Men’s Club, a cornerstone of local community life for many years. Working Men’s Clubs, a historical phenomenon across Britain, emerged in the 19th century as places of social gathering, education, and entertainment for the working classes. At their peak in the mid-20th century, these clubs were integral to many communities, offering everything from bingo and cheap drinks to live entertainment and snooker. However, like many such institutions, the Blackpool Central Working Men’s Club faced decline in recent decades due to changing social habits and economic pressures, eventually falling into dereliction.
Nearby Emergency Utility Works Cause Road Closure
While there were unconfirmed local reports of a burst water main at the junction of Chapel Street and Central Drive, a direct link between this specific utility issue and the fire incident on Kent Street could not be independently confirmed from available news sources.
The junction remains closed at present whilst repair work is carried out.

Local Reporting and Visuals
Local online channels, such as A Walk on the Wild Side, frequently document the day-to-day happenings and significant events in Blackpool, including the state of local landmarks.
You can find a link to the videos from this incident on his channel HERE.
Emergency services are expected to provide further updates as they continue to monitor and extinguish the blaze. We will add any updates to this page tomorrow if available.



