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Fire rips through Eastbourne Pier | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A huge fire is ripping through Eastbourne Pier. | |
About 40 firefighters are at the structure, where the blaze broke out in the arcade building. The pier has been evacuated and there are no reports of any injuries. | |
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was believed the fire started behind some wood panelling. | |
Hastings Pier was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 2010 and West Pier in Brighton burned down in 2003. | |
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. | |
"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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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