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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-28599167

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eastbourne pier fire: PM to unveil 'up to £2m' for town Eastbourne pier fire: PM to unveil 'up to £2m' for town
(about 4 hours later)
Eastbourne is set to get a £2m boost following a fire that left the former arcade on the town's pier a charred shell, Downing Street has said.Eastbourne is set to get a £2m boost following a fire that left the former arcade on the town's pier a charred shell, Downing Street has said.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne are due to announce the funds later. Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne visited the pier to see the destruction first-hand earlier.
On Wednesday, up to 80 firefighters, along with RNLI crews, tackled the blaze on the Grade-II listed pier.On Wednesday, up to 80 firefighters, along with RNLI crews, tackled the blaze on the Grade-II listed pier.
No-one was injured and Sussex Police have said the fire is not believed to be suspicious. Sussex Police said the fire was not believed to be suspicious.
Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne are also announcing an extra £3m for the government's Coastal Communities Fund to encourage growth and create jobs in coastal towns. No-one was injured in the blaze.
The prime minister said "the loss of one of Eastbourne's most prominent and well-loved landmarks will have hit the town hard" and he was determined to "help local businesses recover". Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne also met emergency service teams who helped save two-thirds of the 1,000ft (305m) long pier.
On Thursday, uninsured kiosk holders whose businesses may have been wrecked by the fire were promised help. The prime minister said: "The loss of one of Eastbourne's most prominent and well-loved landmarks will have hit the town hard".
He added he was determined to "help local businesses recover".
On Thursday, uninsured kiosk holders whose businesses may have been wrecked by the fire, were promised help.
The Eastbourne Pier Benevolent Fund has been set-up offering free market stall pitches, and it is hoped empty stores can also be used as "pop-up" shops.The Eastbourne Pier Benevolent Fund has been set-up offering free market stall pitches, and it is hoped empty stores can also be used as "pop-up" shops.
The fire has come at the height of the town's summer tourist season.The fire has come at the height of the town's summer tourist season.
The resort is due to host its biggest summer tourist event, the annual Airbourne air show, which draws tens of thousands of people.The resort is due to host its biggest summer tourist event, the annual Airbourne air show, which draws tens of thousands of people.
Chancellor George Osborne said the fire had been "devastating news" but a package of financial support would aim to "minimise the effect on business and tourism".Chancellor George Osborne said the fire had been "devastating news" but a package of financial support would aim to "minimise the effect on business and tourism".
"We will work with Eastbourne as a matter of urgency to ensure that the funding is provided without delay so people can start enjoying the pier again," he said."We will work with Eastbourne as a matter of urgency to ensure that the funding is provided without delay so people can start enjoying the pier again," he said.
Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd said he hoped the pier could reopen again next year as two-thirds of it had been saved by firefighters. Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd said he hoped the pier could reopen again next year.
Helen Brook and Stuart Pearce were due to get married on the pier in three weeks' time.
Although the couple were due to wed on a section that is still intact, they said the blaze had left them "shell-shocked".
The fire damaged a foul sewer line underneath the pier, which led to a temporary discharge onto the beach from connected services on the building.
The Environment Agency also said red flags had been put out on the beach around the structure.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue said the cause was officially "unexplained" and the investigation would take "a number of days".East Sussex Fire and Rescue said the cause was officially "unexplained" and the investigation would take "a number of days".
Sussex Police has called on people to submit pictures or video footage they shot to help investigators piece together the cause of the fire.