Eastbourne Pier fire: Blaze at Victorian attraction believed to have started in games arcade paneling
My LEADER (EU funding) work at the moment, helping one or two places prepare bids, has thrown up some significant enthusiasm for vernacular buildings. I think when we conceive rural places we all too often miss this important aspect of their character until we reflect a bit more deeply. This is perhaps, albeit Eastbourne is no small town, why this story pulled at the heart strings as soon as I read it. It tells us
A fire broke out at the 144-year-old pier in the East Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne on Wednesday afternoon – gutting its largest dome.
Thick black smoke was seen rising from the roof of the two-storey dome on Eastbourne Pier on Wednesday evening, which the leader of the council said was “badly damaged”.
At around 7pm on Wednesday, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, David Tutt, added that the pier was still alight, but “contained”. He added it did not look as though it would spread further down the pier, following fears that the stiff sea breeze would fan the flames.
“That is good news, and the really good news is that it doesn’t look as if there’s been any injury at all.
“The building which has been affected is the largest dome on the pier, and it has been badly damaged – but further down it looks as it’s always looked.”
Around 60 firefighters – including personnel from neighbouring towns – had tackled the blaze from around 3pm, but the severity of the situation saw the number rise to 80 at around 6:30pm. Firefighters would remain on the shoreline for “several hours”, according to fire officials.