Hard Day's Night Hotel fire sees hotel evacuated

Firefighters were this afternoon battling a blaze at Liverpool's Hard Days Night hotel.
Fire broke out on the fifth floor of the luxury Beatles-themed hotel at around 1.15pm.
The hotel was evacuated as four fire engines and an aerial appliance battled to quell the flames, shown on our picture below taken by an office worker.
North John Street was sealed off to traffic and pedestrians, from Liverpool One to the junction with Cook Street.
Six fire crews used water jets and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the blaze, which is believed to have broken out as a result of contractors doing work on the fifth floor penthouses.

Firefighters burst into the corner penthouse through the balcony doors and appeared to break through a section of the roof to access the fire more easily, showering the pavement below with debris.
The blaze was brought under control by about 2.20pm, but smoke continued to billow from the roof and staff we ordered to remain outside.
James Blackmoor, who spotted the fire from the William Gladstone pub, said: "I had been shopping and was just having a drink when I saw all the fire engines turn up and the road was closed off.

"I looked outside and saw the flames coming from the roof. Luckily, it looked like they managed to get everybody out in time and nobody was hurt.
"It looks like the damage might be quite expensive, though."

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk