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Regional press news - this story published 20 August 2007

Weekly's 2.30am update as huge blaze hits town

by holdthefrontpage staff

A huge fire on Skegness sea front prompted a 2.30am web update from the Skegness Standard, with dramatic pictures from the scene.

The blaze at The Parade Complex, which broke out at around 11.30pm on Thursday, was such a big story for the seaside town that editor Rebekah Baker decided it should be given immediate coverage.

After a tip-off she was quickly at the scene along with a photographer, and as more than 60 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control, the first report was quickly uploaded on to www.skegnessstandard.co.uk

Photographs and video footage sent in by readers were also uploaded, as well as eye-witness accounts of people logging on early in the morning to read the news.

A photo taken at the scene

Rebekah said: "I wanted to get the story on as quickly as possible. People want to know what is happening and I hope they turn to us."

She added: "It is a huge story, the biggest this year.

"It is a huge complex and considering the bad start to the season Skegness has had, with floods affecting our core market, it is another nail in the coffin and the last thing the town needed.

"Part of the building is more than 100 years old so it's also a big loss to the town.

"A lot of the seafront has also been cordoned off which could affect surrounding businesses."

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