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Eastbourne Pier fire: Firefighters save two thirds of structure Eastbourne Pier fire: Firefighters save two thirds of structure
(about 2 hours later)
Fire crews have saved two thirds of Eastbourne Pier after fire destroyed part of the structure, leaving a metal skeleton. Fire crews have saved two thirds of Eastbourne Pier after fighting a major blaze in the structure.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon behind some wood panelling in the arcade building. The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon behind wood panelling in the arcade building. The metal skeleton has survived.
Chief fire officer Des Pritchard said the outgoing tide and low water pressure had hampered crews but their hard work had "paid off". Chief fire officer Des Pritchard said the outgoing tide and low water pressure had hampered crews, but their hard work had "paid off".
Fire minister Penny Mordaunt is to visit the pier "as a priority". Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said he was confident the pier could be repaired.
Ms Mordaunt said she would be visiting Eastbourne to speak to local people and thank firefighters for their efforts. "It's still very much still standing, and I'm very hopeful and confident that it will be reopening next year and be back in business," he said.
He said the extent of the damage could not be compared with piers in Brighton or Hastings, which both suffered more significant blazes.
No-one was injured and the fire is not being treated as suspicious.No-one was injured and the fire is not being treated as suspicious.
Mr Pritchard, of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Pier fires are very difficult to fight because there's only one way on to the pier from the land side. Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt said he understood the fire had been started by an electrical fault.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the cause was "unexplained" and the investigation was due to take "a number of days".
Mr Pritchard said: "Pier fires are very difficult to fight because there's only one way on to the pier from the land side.
"Our crews worked tremendously well and whilst some of the pictures in the media show what might be a scene of devastation, our crews managed to save two thirds of the pier.""Our crews worked tremendously well and whilst some of the pictures in the media show what might be a scene of devastation, our crews managed to save two thirds of the pier."
He said most of the hotspots had been extinguished overnight, with RNLI lifeboat crews assisting.He said most of the hotspots had been extinguished overnight, with RNLI lifeboat crews assisting.
BBC Sussex reporter Simon JenkinsBBC Sussex reporter Simon Jenkins
Looking towards the pier, if you start on the outer pavilion that's absolutely fine.Looking towards the pier, if you start on the outer pavilion that's absolutely fine.
You move back along it and then you come to effectively a skeleton of steel and twisted iron.You move back along it and then you come to effectively a skeleton of steel and twisted iron.
It's a blackened hulk of twisted metal.It's a blackened hulk of twisted metal.
People are shocked, people are concerned and they're coming down to check if the rest of it is still here.People are shocked, people are concerned and they're coming down to check if the rest of it is still here.
The arcade has been left a shell and a number of small buildings at the Victorian structure have been badly damaged, a fire service spokesman said.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is under way.
Kay Healy, who works at the History Bear Collection on the pier, said the attraction was very busy when the fire alarm went off.Kay Healy, who works at the History Bear Collection on the pier, said the attraction was very busy when the fire alarm went off.
"When we walked towards the front of the pier there was smoke coming out of the arcade," she said."When we walked towards the front of the pier there was smoke coming out of the arcade," she said.
"The pier was packed...it took five minutes to get people off. "The pier was packed... it took five minutes to get people off.
"There was no panic, no-one running, just walking.""There was no panic, no-one running, just walking."
She said it took at least 30 minutes for the bystanders to see the flames. She said it took at least 30 minutes before bystanders to see the flames.
"When we went to the other side of the pier, we realised how serious it was," Ms Healy said."When we went to the other side of the pier, we realised how serious it was," Ms Healy said.
"The fire crew was trying to smash the roof in to get the hoses in and then all of a sudden the flames came from everywhere. It was horrendous.""The fire crew was trying to smash the roof in to get the hoses in and then all of a sudden the flames came from everywhere. It was horrendous."
Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd said: "The good news is that we don't have a Brighton or Hastings scenario where the whole pier is destroyed." Anthony Wills, director of the National Piers Society, said getting funds to repair it could be a challenge.
Mr Lloyd is meeting the pier's owners and local councillors to discuss the blaze and its aftermath. "The problem with Eastbourne Pier is that it's privately owned.
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. "It's owned by the people who own the piers at Blackpool so they're not eligible for Lottery money in the way that Hastings has been," he said.
And BBC weather presenter Michael Fish, who was born in the town, tweeted: "Devastated. My childhood up in smoke. Eastbourne's pier must be rebuilt. It was the most attractive in the country." "Hastings has received a Lottery award of £11.5m towards the £15m estimate for rebuilding. That is a major hurdle."
Mr Lloyd met with the pier's owners, business leaders and councillors to discuss the blaze and its aftermath earlier.
Darren Weir, chairman of the Eastbourne Hospitality Association, said the organisation was setting up a pier benevolence fund for staff who might be temporarily out of work
It would also help to find out if there are any temporary jobs available for displaced staff, he said.
BBC weather presenter Michael Fish, who was born in the town, tweeted: "Devastated. My childhood up in smoke. Eastbourne's pier must be rebuilt. It was the most attractive in the country."
Pier firesPier fires