the-pier.co.uk

(Photo Kindly Provided by John Stez)

Fire and police investigations are continuing in an effort to determine what started the blaze which destroyed the Fleetwood Pier.

Due to the fragile nature of the structure police are waiting to be given the all clear to enter and begin their investigation of the inside of the pub which is where it is believed the fire broke out.

Examination of the piers structure will also be conducted to see whether the metal pier supports and concrete which the pier is built upon can be saved and restored.

A history of the pier

(Photo Kindly Provided by Andrew Gaskell - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gman-photography/)

At around 4am this morning a fire broke out on the Fleetwood Pier, Lancashire.

The beach resort in Fleetwood has had this 492ft pier since it opened originally in 1910 and which was subsequently rebuilt in 1952 following another fire.

Up to 10 fire engines were called up to tackle the fire which had spread through two-thirds of the Lancashire Pier.

Early indications are that nobody was injured in the fire.

Nuttall John Martin civil engineers have been awarded the contract to restore the pier head station and surrounding decking that where damaged in the 2005 fire on the pier.

As well as the station, a pub and restaraunt where also lost in the fire which took nearly 75 firemen at the time to keep the fire under control.

The victorian structure is owned by Southend Council and they have already used the £1,000,000 payout from the insurance to cover the income lost while the facilitiies where unavailable and also to restore access back to the pier head.

The full rebuilding is due to commence on the 8th September and it is hoped that it will be finished by April 2009.