Gemma Phypers and Erin Street, both 18, also praised security, with the former saying: “Everyone was out within like five minutes, it was the best thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her friend added: “It was a bit scary… It was just a bit like it wasn’t really real; it was really strange.”
The friends had been downstairs when the fire started and had not realised what was happening until they came up to the deserted main floor.
Staff quickly instructed the two girls to leave the building, and they watched from outside as the flames spread to the upper floors.
Seeing the damage the next day, Street said: “We’re so shocked at how it looks now.
“To come back and see what actually happened, it’s so bad, I’m glad everyone got out, and no one was hurt, honestly.
“Like I don’t know how they did it, but yeah, it’s insane.”