Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Blackpool hit by earthquake


Blackpool hit by earthquake
Blackpool hit by earthquake. A small earth tremor was felt in the Blackpool area at about 0330 BST, it said. Lancashire Police said calls had been received from several people who said their properties were shaking.

A BGS spokesman said the 2.2 magnitude tremor was thought to have centred on Poulton-le-Fylde. No damage or injuries have been reported.

A police spokesman said they confirmed reports from 10 callers when the force's control room on Bonny Street, Blackpool, began to shake.

Officers were sent to check reports of cracks on the road over a bridge in Lytham Road, but learnt they appeared up to two years ago.

A spokeswoman for Blackpool Council said structural engineers would assess if there was any fresh damage to the road but it remained open to traffic.

She added there were no reports of any damage elsewhere in the borough, including at the council-owned Blackpool Tower.

Dave Thornton, a gift shop owner from Thornton Cleveleys, was woken up by the quake.

"All my wardrobe doors were rattling and I couldn't work out what it was.

"I went to the window, but everything seemed normal. It was a relief to be honest to learn that it was a quake because at least I know there's nothing wrong with my house," he said.