Armed police at bank in Blackpool after man on mobility scooter pours petrol inside

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

LancsLive reports.Engineers from Electricity North West and Cadent gas were also called to the scene.Nearby buildings were evacuated and shops including M&S, Ladbrokes, Nandos and Greggs were closed.A large cordon was put up along Church Street, St Johns Square and Cedar Square.Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area as the stand-off enters its sixth hour.Lancashire Constabulary dismissed widespread social media reports of a hostage situation involving the bank manager, confirming that all bank staff left the building.There have been no reports of any injuries so far.A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 14:13 to assist the police at an incident at the Halifax Bank on Church Street,.