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Eastbourne pier's centrepiece building goes up in flames Future of 144-year-old Eastbourne pier in doubt after major fire
(about 4 hours later)
A large part of the 144-year-old pier at Eastbourne's seafront was reduced to a mangled wreck on Wednesday evening after a huge blaze that is believed to have started in wall panelling.A large part of the 144-year-old pier at Eastbourne's seafront was reduced to a mangled wreck on Wednesday evening after a huge blaze that is believed to have started in wall panelling.
The fire, the latest of a number in recent years to devastate 19th-century piers along the southern English coast, engulfed the centrepiece two-storey building of a structure which had previously survived such threats as severe storms and orders to be blown up during the second world war.The fire, the latest of a number in recent years to devastate 19th-century piers along the southern English coast, engulfed the centrepiece two-storey building of a structure which had previously survived such threats as severe storms and orders to be blown up during the second world war.
Tourists and locals at the popular holiday destination watched and took photographs as East Sussex fire and rescue service crews battled the blaze which had consumed the building, which is about 50 metres from the shoreline.Tourists and locals at the popular holiday destination watched and took photographs as East Sussex fire and rescue service crews battled the blaze which had consumed the building, which is about 50 metres from the shoreline.
By early evening, the sea end of the pier appeared to be unaffected by the fire, although dozens of firefighters were still involved in tackling the blaze after they were called out shortly after 3pm.By early evening, the sea end of the pier appeared to be unaffected by the fire, although dozens of firefighters were still involved in tackling the blaze after they were called out shortly after 3pm.
Debbie Leach, 46, who was watching from the beach, said: "I'm really sad, I could cry. It's devastating to see this happen. I just cannot believe it."Debbie Leach, 46, who was watching from the beach, said: "I'm really sad, I could cry. It's devastating to see this happen. I just cannot believe it."
Local community leaders were praying that the pier can be salvaged. Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd said: "I hope and pray that our wonderful pier has not been lost forever. I know that all of Eastbourne are now watching and waiting until the fire is put out so the damage can be assessed."Local community leaders were praying that the pier can be salvaged. Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd said: "I hope and pray that our wonderful pier has not been lost forever. I know that all of Eastbourne are now watching and waiting until the fire is put out so the damage can be assessed."
Architect Tim Phillips, vice-chairman of the National Piers Society, said: "My gut feeling with these fires is it is always an electrical problem – something shorts and flashes in a flammable void. They are so exposed to the elements, and you've got an intensely damp atmosphere."Architect Tim Phillips, vice-chairman of the National Piers Society, said: "My gut feeling with these fires is it is always an electrical problem – something shorts and flashes in a flammable void. They are so exposed to the elements, and you've got an intensely damp atmosphere."
Eastbourne pier is described on its official website as a "wonderful place", "the perfect day out" and "one of the most popular attractions in the UK", with an amusement arcade called Funtasia, the a waterfront cafe, Victorian tea rooms, and the Atlantis nightclub.Eastbourne pier is described on its official website as a "wonderful place", "the perfect day out" and "one of the most popular attractions in the UK", with an amusement arcade called Funtasia, the a waterfront cafe, Victorian tea rooms, and the Atlantis nightclub.
It is also a wedding venue which offers panoramic views across the south coast.It is also a wedding venue which offers panoramic views across the south coast.
The website says: "The Ocean Suite wedding venue is located at the end of Eastbourne Pier, reached via stairs to a private traditional terrace area, perfect for your drink reception, the suite can hold up to 180 guests and is glassed to three sides and bathed in natural light which gives a spectacular feeling of being on board a luxury boat." It is not known how much damage the fire has caused to that particular area.The website says: "The Ocean Suite wedding venue is located at the end of Eastbourne Pier, reached via stairs to a private traditional terrace area, perfect for your drink reception, the suite can hold up to 180 guests and is glassed to three sides and bathed in natural light which gives a spectacular feeling of being on board a luxury boat." It is not known how much damage the fire has caused to that particular area.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crews from Eastbourne, Hastings and Newhaven were also involved in helping firefighters, while Sussex police said they had officers at the scene to help with local road closures and to prevent the public getting too close to the fire.Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crews from Eastbourne, Hastings and Newhaven were also involved in helping firefighters, while Sussex police said they had officers at the scene to help with local road closures and to prevent the public getting too close to the fire.
In 2003, the 148-year-old West pier in Brighton was reduced to a mangled mass of metal by two major blazes within two months.In 2003, the 148-year-old West pier in Brighton was reduced to a mangled mass of metal by two major blazes within two months.
Southend-on-Sea pier in Essex, the longest pleasure pier in the world at 7,080ft (2,156m), was badly damaged by fire in 2005. A previous fire damaged it in 1976.Southend-on-Sea pier in Essex, the longest pleasure pier in the world at 7,080ft (2,156m), was badly damaged by fire in 2005. A previous fire damaged it in 1976.
Grand pier in Weston-super-Mare was badly damaged by a blaze in 2008, and in 2010 the grade II-listed Hastings pier was almost destroyed by fire.Grand pier in Weston-super-Mare was badly damaged by a blaze in 2008, and in 2010 the grade II-listed Hastings pier was almost destroyed by fire.
Construction on Eastbourne pier was opened in 1870 but was only finally completed in 1872, six years after it began.Construction on Eastbourne pier was opened in 1870 but was only finally completed in 1872, six years after it began.
The first theatre was constructed on the pier at a reported cost of £250 in 1888, before it was replaced by a larger complex just over a decade later.The first theatre was constructed on the pier at a reported cost of £250 in 1888, before it was replaced by a larger complex just over a decade later.
During the second world war there was an order to blow the pier up – apparently in a bid to stop the enemy using it in a potential invasion – but it was spared.During the second world war there was an order to blow the pier up – apparently in a bid to stop the enemy using it in a potential invasion – but it was spared.
Its entry on the English Heritage website tells how during the conflict wooden decking was removed from the centre to prevent an enemy landing and gun platforms installed in the theatre to ward off any attempted landing by the Germans.Its entry on the English Heritage website tells how during the conflict wooden decking was removed from the centre to prevent an enemy landing and gun platforms installed in the theatre to ward off any attempted landing by the Germans.
But after a reprieve during the war, in 1970 it suffered severe damage from a fire that broke out in the Pavilion theatre.But after a reprieve during the war, in 1970 it suffered severe damage from a fire that broke out in the Pavilion theatre.