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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Historic pier destroyed in fire | Historic pier destroyed in fire |
| (40 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 the derelict Fleetwood Pier at about 0430 BST after reports of smoke rising from the roof of the main building. | Fire crews were called to the derelict Fleetwood Pier at about 0430 BST after reports of smoke rising from the roof of the main building. |
| About 60 firefighters are tackling the blaze, which they said was already well alight by the time they arrived. Police reported it was "completely gutted". | About 60 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. | 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. 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 | 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 |
| The fire is suspected to have started near the front of the pier by a former pub and cafe. | The fire is suspected to have started near the front of the pier by a former pub and cafe. |
| Fire crews are pumping water from a boating lake a mile away to help control the blaze but said the structure had been completely destroyed. | |
| The surrounding roads have been closed off though the fire is now said to be under control. | |
| Cathy Stacey from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Most of the pier has been destroyed - certainly the buildings on it. | |
| "The concrete structure that forms the base of the pier is still intact and the metal supporting beams." | |
| Fire crews said they intended to remain at the scene for the rest of the day. | |
| Eric Smallman, owner of the Savoy Hotel opposite the pier, witnessed the blaze. | 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 50% is pretty well ablaze. | He said: "Fifty per cent of the pier has actually collapsed - the other 50% is pretty well ablaze. |
| "The flames are starting to come through what's left of the main building. | "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."The Fleetwood boardwalk is a landmark for sailors and tourists | |
| 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." | 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." |
| Sheila Grace, 60, was born in Fleetwood and owns the nearby Sandpipers Hotel on the Esplanade. | |
| She said it was a sad end for the pier: "I know things have changed, but it was the jewel in Fleetwood's crown, everybody headed there and everybody knew it, and in the last few years it has been just nothing." | |
| Planning row | Planning row |
| Fleetwood Pier was rebuilt in 1953 after being damaged by a fire in 1952. | Fleetwood Pier was rebuilt in 1953 after being damaged by a fire in 1952. |
| The blaze on 25 August 1952 started in the cinema and created an inferno that could be seen from 20 miles away. | |
| The attraction was first built in 1910 - the last to be constructed in the "golden age" of pier building, from 1860 to 1910. | |
| It was built with a promenade deck and 600ft long jetty with an ornate oriental-style pavilion, which opened to the public in 1911. | |
| The pier continued to remain profitable throughout the declining years of the seaside resort, even receiving a £70,000 facelift in 1972. | The pier continued to remain profitable throughout the declining years of the seaside resort, even receiving a £70,000 facelift in 1972. |
| But in recent years it has gone through changes of ownership and uncertainty over its future. | But in recent years it has gone through changes of ownership and uncertainty over its future. |
| The pier was sold to a Lancashire businessman for about £500,000 last year. | The pier 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. |
| But hundreds of people signed a petition objecting to the plans. | But hundreds of people signed a petition objecting to the plans. |
| 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 upload here.Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |