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Firefighters remain at Eastbourne Pier fire scene Firefighters remain at Eastbourne Pier fire scene
(35 minutes later)
Firefighters have spent the night at the scene of a devastating fire that destroyed part of Eastbourne Pier.Firefighters have spent the night at the scene of a devastating fire that destroyed part of Eastbourne Pier.
About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze which ripped through the main building on the structure on Wednesday evening leaving only a metal skeleton.About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze which ripped through the main building on the structure on Wednesday evening leaving only a metal skeleton.
No-one was injured in the fire which police are not treating as suspicious.No-one was injured in the fire which police are not treating as suspicious.
Fire minister Penny Mordaunt said she would be visiting Eastbourne "as a priority" to speak to local people and thank firefighters for their efforts.Fire minister Penny Mordaunt said she would be visiting Eastbourne "as a priority" to speak to local people and thank firefighters for their efforts.
The blaze broke out behind some wood panelling in the arcade building and billowing smoke filled the air.The blaze broke out behind some wood panelling in the arcade building and billowing smoke filled the air.
The fire service said the incident was being scaled down and 30 firefighters were expected to stay at the scene overnight.The fire service said the incident was being scaled down and 30 firefighters were expected to stay at the scene overnight.
Ms Mordaunt commented: "It is heart-breaking to see such a wonderful Victorian pier so damaged. Thankfully no-one appears to have been hurt."Ms Mordaunt commented: "It is heart-breaking to see such a wonderful Victorian pier so damaged. Thankfully no-one appears to have been hurt."
Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt said he was hopeful the pier could be repaired and he understood the fire had been started by an electrical fault. Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt said he was hopeful the pier could be repaired, and he understood the fire had been started by an electrical fault.
Des Pritchard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said: "Our firefighters have saved a huge amount of the pier - there's a great deal that's still there.Des Pritchard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, said: "Our firefighters have saved a huge amount of the pier - there's a great deal that's still there.
"It is very sad but pier fires are very difficult to fight and many result in the complete loss of the pier.""It is very sad but pier fires are very difficult to fight and many result in the complete loss of the pier."
Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said it appeared that the pier had been saved from being entirely consumed.Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said it appeared that the pier had been saved from being entirely consumed.
"The good news is that we don't have a Brighton or Hastings scenario where the whole pier is destroyed," he said."The good news is that we don't have a Brighton or Hastings scenario where the whole pier is destroyed," he said.
Pier firesPier fires
Airbourne, one of Eastbourne's biggest events, is due to take place on the seafront between 14 and 17 August.Airbourne, one of Eastbourne's biggest events, is due to take place on the seafront between 14 and 17 August.
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.
It has featured in films and television programmes including the Michael Caine movie Last Orders and Brit flick Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.It has featured in films and television programmes including the Michael Caine movie 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.Hastings Pier was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 2010 and West Pier in Brighton burned down in 2003.
The BBC's Sarah Bell: My EastbourneThe BBC's Sarah Bell: My Eastbourne
As someone raised on the sunshine coast, seeing the pier in flames has left me feeling deeply sad and unsettled.As someone raised on the sunshine coast, seeing the pier in flames has left me feeling deeply sad and unsettled.
The symbol of the town, its Victorian structure was the constant backdrop to my childhood of chilly dips in the sea.The symbol of the town, its Victorian structure was the constant backdrop to my childhood of chilly dips in the sea.
It even played a part in the social structure of teenage years - with the beaches either side reserved for the coolest kids.It even played a part in the social structure of teenage years - with the beaches either side reserved for the coolest kids.
Later it was where we would drink local cider and snog boys, in the years before nights out involved tottering up to the nightclub at the end.Later it was where we would drink local cider and snog boys, in the years before nights out involved tottering up to the nightclub at the end.
Within an hour of the news my Facebook feed was filled with local friends expressing sadness and shock that a key part part of the town's history could be so easily destroyed.Within an hour of the news my Facebook feed was filled with local friends expressing sadness and shock that a key part part of the town's history could be so easily destroyed.
I just hope that it can be restored and not suffer the fate of the structures in neighbouring towns.I just hope that it can be restored and not suffer the fate of the structures in neighbouring towns.
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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