Fire on Brighton Pier
A historic seaside pier which has been ravaged by two fires in two months was almost an empty metal shell today after the latest blaze consumed most of what was left.
Flames continue to burn away the former concert hall on Brighton’s West Pier after smouldering embers from a blaze which started on Sunday morning were fanned by strong winds yesterday.
A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire Brigade said crews were powerless to prevent the new flames taking hold as the structure had been declared too dangerous for firefighters to board.
As a result, the concert hall has now been reduced almost to its metal frame - similar to the pavilion end of the 137-year-old pier which was destroyed by a blaze in March.
Police confirmed yesterday that they are treating the latest fire as arson and have appealed for information.
Although they have been unable to get on to the structure to retrieve evidence, they are following up telephone calls from members of the public.
The fire in the concert hall was spotted in the early hours of Sunday by a security guard employed to oversee the structure following March’s blaze.
Flames reached the roof of the concert hall, which dramatically slumped to one side in January in one of several major collapses suffered by the pier.
Although the damage was initially minor, strong winds ensured that flames reignited yesterday and they are now threatening to finish the ailing structure off.
The West Pier Trust, leading plans for a £30 million renovation of the Grade I-listed pier, has blamed both fires on protesters who are against its scheme.
But the Trust’s general manager Rachel Clark reiterated today that its plans for rebuilding the pier to its former glory would continue despite the latest setback.
She said: “It doesn’t affect our ability to restore the pier – it is just extremely depressing that it has happened in this way and that it is arson.”
The future of the pier received a huge boost in February when Brighton and Hove City Council voted in favour of the restoration plans despite fierce opposition.
Those against the proposals claim a modern glass development of bars and shops on the promenade would ruin the seafront.
The West Pier is one of only two Grade I-listed piers in the country – the other being in Clevedon – and was built in 1866. It has not been open to the public since 1975.
