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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fire rips through Eastbourne Pier | Fire rips through Eastbourne Pier |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A huge fire is ripping through Eastbourne Pier. | A huge fire is ripping through Eastbourne Pier. |
| It is believed the blaze broke out behind some wood panelling in the arcade building. | |
| Sian Ellis, a hotel manager in the town, said the pier was an "absolute red, molten, mess of flame and smoke". | |
| "We've just had another explosion there and it's very, very frightening and hugely saddening for the whole of the town," she said. About 60 firefighters are tackling the blaze. | |
| The pier has been evacuated and there are no reports of any injuries. | |
| Mark Sawyer, who is the coxwain of Eastbourne Lifeboat, said: "The main structure is gone now and it's a metal shell. | |
| "The fire has spread to the middle section and it's burning frantically. | |
| "There was a large cheer from the crowd when the hoses arrived, but it's now looking ominous." | |
| Councillor Philip Ede, from Eastbourne Borough Council, who is witnessing the fire, said: "It looks pretty drastic from where I'm standing. | Councillor Philip Ede, from Eastbourne Borough Council, who is witnessing the fire, said: "It looks pretty drastic from where I'm standing. |
| "There's a lot of smoke and flames engulfing the first section of the pier. | "There's a lot of smoke and flames engulfing the first section of the pier. |
| "We pray the fire brigade can save as much of the building as possible." | "We pray the fire brigade can save as much of the building as possible." |
| The pier was built in the 1870s and, according to the Piers Society, previously had a theatre and a "camera obscura" built on it. | The pier was built in the 1870s and, according to the Piers Society, previously had a theatre and a "camera obscura" built on it. |
| Today, a number of cafes, bars and a nightclub are situated along the pier. | Today, a number of cafes, bars and a nightclub are situated along the pier. |
| The pier has featured in films and television programmes including the Michael Caine film Last Orders, and Brit flick Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. | The pier has featured in films and television programmes including the Michael Caine film Last Orders, and Brit flick Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. |
| Hastings Pier was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 2010 and West Pier in Brighton burned down in 2003. | |
| Are you in Eastbourne? Did you see the fire? You can email your photos and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Eastbourne'. | Are you in Eastbourne? Did you see the fire? You can email your photos and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Eastbourne'. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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