This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-53441236

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Blackpool Central Pier fire destroys fairground ride Blackpool Central Pier fire destroys fairground ride
(about 2 hours later)
A large fire has destroyed parts of Blackpool's historic Central Pier. A large fire has damaged parts of Blackpool's historic Central Pier just a week after it reopened.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said crews found a workshop and a ride well alight half way along the pier just after 03:00 BST. The blaze completely destroyed a fairground ride and damaged an engineering shed about halfway along the seaside attraction.
About 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height with 10 fire engines at the wood and cast iron structure. Aerial photos from the scene show a charred section of the structure, made from cast iron and wood, where the ride once stood.
Incident commander Mark Winder said it was soon brought under control and an investigation is being conducted into its cause. Mark Marshall, of the Blackpool Pier Company, said he was "devastated".
"Some fantastic early intervention was done by the crews first on scene," he said. He said a structural engineer would assess the damage and the company was "hoping with every fibre of our body" the pier would be safe to reopen again soon.
"Fortunately we had some of the conditions in our favour so we did not have a particularly strong wind and the tide was out, so we were able to tackle the fire below from the beach as well." It welcomed its first visitors in months just a week ago after lockdown restrictions were eased.
The fire completely destroyed a fairground ride and damaged a significant portion of the outside of the workshop. Some 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height, with 10 fire engines sent to the scene.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said crews arrived just after 03:00 BST to find the ride and engineering shed well alight.
Incident commander Mark Winder said it was soon brought under control thanks to "some fantastic early intervention" by crews.
"Fortunately we had some of the conditions in our favour so we did not have a particularly strong wind and the tide was out, so we were able to tackle the fire below from the beach as well," he said.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, he added.
The Promenade around the pier was closed for a time, but has since reopened.The Promenade around the pier was closed for a time, but has since reopened.
Blackpool's piersBlackpool's piers
Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.ukWhy not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk