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Owner vows to restore burnt pier | Owner vows to restore burnt pier |
(20 minutes later) | |
The owner of the Grand Pier at Weston- super-Mare, which was destroyed in a fire, has said he "will work tirelessly to restore" the structure. | The owner of the Grand Pier at Weston- super-Mare, which was destroyed in a fire, has said he "will work tirelessly to restore" the structure. |
Kerry Michael, who bought the pier with his sister in February, said they were "absolutely devastated" by the blaze. | Kerry Michael, who bought the pier with his sister in February, said they were "absolutely devastated" by the blaze. |
Dozens of firefighters tackled the fire which started in the North Somerset seaside resort at about 0700 BST. | |
No-one was injured in the blaze, which firefighters said started in an area containing deep fat fryers. | No-one was injured in the blaze, which firefighters said started in an area containing deep fat fryers. |
I feel very sorry for all our dedicated staff, many of whom have been here all their working lives and treasured the pier Kerry Michael | |
But the fire service added that the cause of the blaze might not be known till midweek as safety concerns were preventing crews from getting inside the pier's burnt shell. | |
Mr Michael, who was on his way home from holiday in Spain when the fire started, said the "magnificent" structure would be "restored to its former glory". | |
In a press statement he also thanked people for their messages of support. | In a press statement he also thanked people for their messages of support. |
Among those was the Bishop of Bath and Wells who broke off from the Lambeth Conference to express his shock and sympathy. | Among those was the Bishop of Bath and Wells who broke off from the Lambeth Conference to express his shock and sympathy. |
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7528258.stm">Your pictures: Weston pier fire | |
"The near destruction of the Grand Pier is a devastating blow for the people of Weston-super-Mare and I assure you all - the owners, the town's people and the visitors - of my sympathy, support and prayers at this very difficult time," he said. | "The near destruction of the Grand Pier is a devastating blow for the people of Weston-super-Mare and I assure you all - the owners, the town's people and the visitors - of my sympathy, support and prayers at this very difficult time," he said. |
Mr Michael said: "I feel very sorry for all our dedicated staff, many of whom have been here all their working lives and treasured the pier. | Mr Michael said: "I feel very sorry for all our dedicated staff, many of whom have been here all their working lives and treasured the pier. |
"I don't know how they are going to come to terms with this tragic loss. | "I don't know how they are going to come to terms with this tragic loss. |
"I feel very sorry for the people of Weston, for them the pier was Weston. In these difficult economic times I sincerely hope that this event doesn't bring further hardship to those businesses and people who rely on our tourist trade. | "I feel very sorry for the people of Weston, for them the pier was Weston. In these difficult economic times I sincerely hope that this event doesn't bring further hardship to those businesses and people who rely on our tourist trade. |
"I would like to assure all these people that we will work tirelessly to restore this magnificent structure to its former glory." | "I would like to assure all these people that we will work tirelessly to restore this magnificent structure to its former glory." |
Uncertain future | |
The pier had undergone a massive revamp last April after being sold in a multi-million pound deal to the Michaels. | |
A new £500,000 indoor go-kart track had just opened, with the addition of a climbing wall. | |
There are some 100 people employed on the pier, who are now facing an uncertain future as a result of the fire. |