Inferno guts historic Brithsh pier
WESTON-SUPER-MARE (AFP) — An inferno laid waste Monday to the historic pier at Weston-super-Mare on the northern Somerset coast, dealing a further hammer blow to the seaside town's economy.
About 30 firefighters were called in to fight the massive blaze, which broke out at around 6:45 am on the part-wooden structure, but there were no immediate reports of any injuries, Avon Fire and Rescue said.
The Grand Pier, which opened in 1904 at a time when beach resorts were booming, stretches a quarter of a mile (400 metres) into the Bristol Channel.
It had recently undergone a one-million-pound refurbishment with a new funfair and go-kart track.
The theatre pavillion on the Grand Pier was previously destroyed by fire in 1930 and rebuilt, opening three years later.
New owner Kerry Michael, who bought the pier earlier this year with his sister Michelle, was said to be "absolutely devastated" and was returning from holiday in Spain to deal with the aftermath, his spokesman Nigel Heath said.
"His whole plan was to turn it into a premier tourist attraction; in fact he already had," he said.
"He had a huge personal involvement in the project and was totally committed to it."
Anthony Wills, of the National Piers Society, said the structure was subject to a preservation order. He described the inferno as an "absolute disaster" and feared the pier would be only partially rebuilt.
"It would cost a fortune (to repair). I suspect we will end up with a very truncated structure," he said. "Unless a miracle happens, I really can't see it being reinstated even if there's a big insurance pay-out."
National Piers Society executive committee member Mike Davies said the fire had taken the "super" out of Weston-super-Mare, whose seafront is currently undergoing a 28-million-pound renovation.
Davies, who lives in the seaside town, said: "It's about the only tourist draw we've got left here. If you look at a picture of Weston-super-Mare, you always have the pier slap bang in the middle.
"I just hope it's re-built at soon as possible. But I can see it taking anything between two and four years."
Others were not convinced, fearing the worst as, like other British seaside resorts, Weston has suffered from the lure of cheap foreign holidays.
Jeannette James, owner of The Beach Bistro, said: "It's absolutely devastating. If it goes, Weston will have nothing.
"We have had so much go from this town already. Without the pier I don't think Weston can survive. We are very, very deeply concerned about it."
Donna Hill, senior carer at The Royal Air Forces Association, a respite centre opposite the pier, said: "It is so sad. There are people everywhere and so many are in tears.
"There is nothing left of the pier. What else have we got? It was beautiful, it was our landmark."
Bar worker Katie Green, 21, said: "Weston was dying already. It's dead now."
Fire service officials said an investigation into what caused the fire would not start until later on Monday or Tuesday.
Chief fire officer Kevin Pearson told BBC News that deep-fat fryers were found in the area of the superstructure where they believe the fire started. Initial reports said it spread from its right-side front turret.
