Two held after Hastings pier is destroyed in 'arson' attack

Huge blaze: flames engulf the Victorian Hastings pier in the early hours today

A Victorian pier that for more than a century attracted London holidaymakers and music fans has been virtually destroyed by fire.

Police have arrested two people on suspicion of arson after Hastings pier was engulfed in flames during the early hours. No one was injured.

It is estimated that about 95 per cent of the pier has been lost. All the wooden parts have been destroyed and there remains only the smouldering metal framework of the 910ft-long structure.

About 60 firefighters worked through the night to control the blaze which began at 1am. Some teams were taken out to sea in lifeboats to tackle the flames. It was brought under control by 7am.

Inspector Lee Lyons of East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "It has effectively destroyed the last couple of hundred feet of the pier. We came across it while out on patrol."

He added that there was a big plume, which spread quickly towards the beach. The seat of the fire is believed to have been at the end of the pier, where the dome-roofed ballroom once stood.

Mr Lyons said the ballroom was reduced to "a burning framework with bits dropping off into the sea".

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Sussex Police and Sussex Fire and Rescue are still dealing with the fire and advise anyone driving in the area of the A259 in Hastings to take alternative routes."

The pier had been closed since 2006 after the council said it was unsafe. Campaigners have since been trying to raise money for it to be refurbished with modern attractions.

Hastings borough council bought the pier from the private owners this year with a compulsory purchase order and handed it to the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust which has announced a competition to redesign the pier.

It is estimated it would have cost £3million just to make it safe. The original 2,000-seat pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1917 and replaced in 1922.

In the Sixties and Seventies, Hastings pier was a venue for acts such as the Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Jones and Pink Floyd.

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