Weston-Super-Mere pier on fire

Montse · July 28, 2008

Fire breaks out on seaside pier

Fire at Grand Pier: Picture by Stuart Bird

Fire crews are tackling a blaze at the Grand Pier in the Somerset seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said six engines were at the scene and described the incident as a "large fire".

One eyewitness told the BBC the blaze broke out at the foot of the West Tower and smoke was billowing out to sea.

BBC Radio Bristol reporter Nigel Dando, who is at the scene, said it looked as if the pier had collapsed on itself.

"Nothing is going to be saved," he said.

"I'm about 200 yards away from the fire, there'll be nothing left after this fire, it's a desperately sad scene."

Marie Harding, from the Royal Hotel on the seafront, said: "You can just see huge, great big smoke and loads and loads of flames and lots of firemen, lots and lots of people taking photos.

"It's one of the pillars, it looks really, really bad."

The quarter-of-a-mile-long pier, which attracts thousands of visitors a year, reopened in April after a massive revamp.

beeb

What a shame

Gerry · July 28, 2008

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