A DERELICT orphanage in St Annes was gutted in a suspected arson attack the very night before its future was to be decided by council planning bosses.

Firefighters from across the Fylde, two of which are pictured here, were called to the site of the Blackburn Convalescent Home shortly before 9.30pm on Tuesday (February 22), and they struggled to control the blaze through until the early hours of the following morning.

Ten fire engines were involved in the major operation, dubbed Operation Merlin, although they had some difficulty finding a source of water to tackle the flames, despite being within spitting distance of the sea!

The building, situated on the dunes between St Annes and Blackpool, has been derelict for the last ten years and sits on protected green belt land which has been earmarked for a major housing development for some time. The proposal, by Morris Homes, to build 26 flats with car parking facilities and landscaping on the site was discussed by Fylde Council on Wednesday (February 23).

Assistant area planning officer Julie Carey confirmed: "The plans for the development of new flats were recommended by the council and minded to be approved at a later date but it still needs to be referred to the Department of Environment because it is green belt land."

Some time ago Crowden Collins put forward plans for a Mediterranean-style complex but this was rejected on the grounds it would not be suitable for the town.

Police and fire chiefs have yet to rule out arson as the cause of the blaze.

PC Duxbury from Blackpool CID said: "The place is an absolute tip and the fire is believed to be of doubtful origin."

Both a fire team and crime scene squad were sent to the scene and investigations into the cause are ongoing.

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