Hastings Pier has burned down and two people have been arrested for suspected arson as firefighters continued to battle the fire into the morning.
The fire started at 1am today and has destroyed 95% of the Victorian pier, according to East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
Ten fire crews rushed to the scene last night after a member of the public spotted the flames. The blaze started in the pier’s ballroom and firefighters were unable to stop it spreading along the wooden construction.
More than 60 firefighters were still battling the flames this morning.
Watch this amateur footage of the Hastings Pier fire.
Sussex Police said two males were detained and were being questioned about the cause of the fire on the pier.
Hastings Pier was opened in 1872 but has been closed since 2006 because it was feared unsafe. Earlier this year the council agreed to begin re-development after a study revealed the pier could be made safe for £3million.
The Victorian landmark is iconic as The Rolling Stones, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who and Pink Floyd all performed there in the 1960s and 70s.
Hastings Pier, August 1954
However, the future is now uncertain for Hastings landmark. Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch said: “We are very disappointed that this fire has taken most of Hastings Pier’s upper levels with it.
“The firefighters have worked heroically to try and contain the blaze but unfortunately because of the wind, the state of the pier and the danger of going on it, the fire really took hold.
“The council will now be looking at a new structural survey so that we can be absolutely clear on the degree of damage to the sub-structure. Then we can see what the future holds for this iconic building on our seafront.”
In March 2003, Brighton’s West Pier, another Victorian landmark, also burned down.
Frankie Mullin
