LONDON (AFP) — Firefighters were on Tuesday inspecting the smouldering remains of an historic Lancashire pier which was "completely gutted" by a major blaze which broke out overnight.
Fire crews arrived at Fleetwood Pier at 4:30 am after reports of smoke rising from the main building.
"Fleetwood Pier is alight. It is a serious incident. There are 10 fire engines, plus a major incident support unit, a mobile fire station and two aerial ladder platforms," a spokeswoman said.
About 60 firefighters tackled the blaze which was already well underway by the time they arrived at the derelict pier, located in a resort several miles north of Blackpool on the northwest coast.
Investigators said it was too early to determine whether the blaze was started deliberately.
The fire is thought to have started near the front of the pier by a former pub and café.
Water was being pumped from a boating lake a mile away but firefighters said the structure was completely destroyed by the flames.
The surrounding roads have also been closed off.
Built in 1906, Fleetwood Pier was the last such structure to arise out of the 'golden age' of pier building between 1860-1910.
With a promenade deck, a jetty stretching 600 foot (182 metres) and an oriental-style pavilion, the pier was opened to the public in 1911.
A major fire gutted the structure in 1952, which was rebuilt a year later and continued to generate profit throughout the declining years of the seaside resort.
The blaze comes just six weeks after another fire gutted the historic Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare.
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