Experts begin probe into pier blaze

Fire investigators are returning to Eastbourne Pier today after a devastating blaze ripped through the historic landmark.

The huge fire destroyed part of the 144-year-old Grade II-listed structure and sent plumes of black smoke into the sky yesterday afternoon.

It began in an area of the pier housing amusement arcade attractions and came at the height of the all-important summer tourist season for resort.

Up to 80 firefighters tackled the blaze from the coast, the beach and from underneath the Victorian structure, which is privately-owned by Cuerden Leisure.

Embers could still be seen burning some five hours after the fire started.

Sussex Police said the pier was quickly evacuated, no one was trapped and the fire was not believed to be suspicious “at this time”.

David Tutt, leader of Eastbourne Council, said he understood the fire had been started by an electrical fault and it appeared firefighters had managed to save two thirds of the pier.

“Our understanding is the fire appears to have started in wall panelling which would lead you to believe it was electrical,” he said.

“Obviously when the fire investigators can complete their work we’ll know for sure.

“We are offering whatever help we can to the owners if there are weddings booked and so on to find new locations so nobody is disappointed.”

Fire minister Penny Mordaunt said she planned to meet residents and community leaders in Eastbourne “as a priority” following the blaze.

Tourists and locals thronged the beach and promenade to watch the pier gradually become engulfed in flames from around 3pm yesterday.

Although the area was busy at the time, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was not aware of any injuries or casualties.

The RNLI said lifeboats from Eastbourne, Hastings and Newhaven were sent to the pier to help firefighters tackle the fire.

It was eventually brought under control shortly before 8pm, while a round 30 firefighters remained at the scene overnight, the fire service said.

All that remained was a blackened metal carcass on the worst hit area of the pier. The sea-end section of the structure appeared to be unaffected by the blaze.

Chief Fire Officer Des Prichard said: “This has been an extremely challenging incident. Our firefighters have worked very hard in difficult conditions to stop the fire from spreading. Sadly one building on the pier is now a shell and other smaller buildings have been damaged but the remaining buildings on the pier are being protected.

“This couldn’t have been achieved without the assistance of a number of other organisations, including the police, Coastguard and RNLI.”

He added: “This is obviously an upsetting incident for all those who love this landmark. We are thankful that there are no reported injuries and that firefighting operations continue, to try and ensure we save a large part of this iconic pier”.

Tourist Sam Taylor, 54, said: “I just can’t believe it. I’ve been coming here for years and to see it go up in smoke while I’m here is devastating.

“It’s a beautiful pier. We had only been on it the other day to play on the amusements and take in the views.”

In a fortnight, Eastbourne hosts its biggest tourist event, the annual Airbourne air show on the seafront, which draws tens of thousands of visitors.

Debbie Leach, 46, watched from the beach as the flames engulfed the attraction. She said: “I’m really sad, I could cry.

“It’s devastating to see this happen, particularly so close to Airbourne. I just cannot believe it.”

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.”

Eastbourne Pier has a large number of attractions, including an arcade, cafe bar, tea rooms and Atlantis nightclub.

Carolyn Heaps, the council’s cabinet member for tourism, said: ” It is tragic to see this much loved Victorian landmark on fire. The council is supporting the emergency services as they tackle the fire and in keeping the area around the pier safe.”

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.

“I wonder if it is something to do with the heavy rain we have had recently, and if the water has reached some wiring.”

East Sussex has been cursed by the devastation of some of its piers.

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.

And in Eastbourne’s neighbouring town of Hastings, the Grade II-listed pier there was almost destroyed in a fire in 2010 following years of neglect by its then-Panama-registered owner.

But efforts are now well under way to restoring Hastings Pier after more than £13 million was secured mainly though the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Elsewhere in the country, Southend Pier in Essex, the longest pleasure pier in the world at 7,080 feet (2,156 metres), was badly damaged by fire in 2005. A previous fire damaged it in 1976.

And Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare was badly damaged by a blaze in 2008.

Tim Wardley, chairman of the National Piers Society, said: “When you have something that is made of wood, the risk of fire is always going to be sadly that much greater.

“Piers are at risk of being chopped in half by an errant boat, or suffering fire damage – they are constantly under onslaught from mother nature.

“That’s a testament to the 61 which survive proudly after withstanding that onslaught over the last two centuries.”

Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/experts-begin-probe-pier-blaze-235238494.html

Experts begin probe into pier blaze