This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lancashire/7605562.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Historic pier destroyed in fire | Historic pier destroyed in fire |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| An historic Lancashire pier has burned down in a fire during the night. | An historic Lancashire pier has burned down in a fire during the night. |
| Fire crews were called to Fleetwood Pier at about 0430 BST after reports of smoke rising from the roof of the main building. | |
| About 80 firefighters are tackling the blaze, which they said was already well alight by the time they arrived. Police reported it was "completely gutted" | |
| Investigators will look into the fire's cause later but said it was too early to say if it was started deliberately. | |
| A spokeswoman said 10 fire engines, a major incident support unit, a mobile fire station and two aerial ladder platforms had been sent to the scene. | A spokeswoman said 10 fire engines, a major incident support unit, a mobile fire station and two aerial ladder platforms had been sent to the scene. |
| The fire brigade are spraying water on it but apart from that I think there's not a lot else they can do Eric Smallman, eye witness | |
| Eric Smallman, owner of the Savoy Hotel opposite the pier, witnessed the blaze. | |
| He said: "Fifty per cent of the pier has actually collapsed - the other fifty per cent is pretty well ablaze. | |
| "The flames are starting to come through what's left of the main building. | |
| "The fire brigade are spraying water on it but apart from that I think there's not a lot else they can do." | |
| He added: "I don't think they're actually attempting to go into the building or anything like that - I think it's just a case of trying to fight the fire from outside." | |
| The pier, which was built in 1910, was sold to a Lancashire businessman for about £500,000 last year. | |
| Mike Simmons, also known as comedian Joey Blower, had promised a new lease of life for the pier by converting it into luxury apartments. | Mike Simmons, also known as comedian Joey Blower, had promised a new lease of life for the pier by converting it into luxury apartments. |
| Fleetwood Pier was rebuilt in 1953 after being damaged by fire. | |
| Are you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can href="http://bbcnewsupload.streamuk.com/">upload here. href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2780295.stm#yourpics">Read the terms and conditions | |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | |