Pier falls into sea after massive blaze

Last updated at 12:55 10 October 2005


The historic pier in Southend collapsed into the sea this morning after a massive blaze destroyed part of the structure.

Around 60 firefighters tackled flames leaping 30

to 40 feet into the air as the "absolutely huge" inferno engulfed up to 130 feet of the structure in Essex - the world's longest pleasure pier.

In the early hours, several buildings, including the Jolly Fisherman pub and a fish and chip shops, collapsed into the Thames estuary, taking part of the pier's wooden floor with them.

This morning, the fire, which began at around 10.40pm yesterday, about a mile from the shore, was under control.

Firefighters said arson was one of the possibilities that would be considered although it was too early to draw any conclusions about the cause of the blaze.

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said:

"Firefighters faced extreme difficulty in tackling the fire as they had to get firefighters and their equipment down the mile length of the pier with only Royal National Lifeboat Institution buggies, hovercrafts and boats as transportation.

"Water supplies were also a big problem as the tide was out and there were problems with hydrants on the pier.

"At its height, over 55 firefighters were at the scene and there are still 25 there this morning."

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