Fire Destroys Landmark Pier
Here in the UK we have a good many Victorian era piers at our coastal resorts and over recent years fire has devastated a few. They were, of course, constructed of wood which was the building material of choice in the late 1800's when many of them were first built and they were a wonderful site when visiting the coast.
The most recent to be ravaged by fire is at Eastbourne, East Sussex in the south of the UK which was built in 1870 and has stood ever since in all it's glory, a constant reminder of days gone by. It is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault and there is talk of it being possible to re-build it. I do hope so.
Other casualties of fire over recent years to affect these wonderful Victorian relics are:
- The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare was damaged by fires in 1930 and 2008
- Hastings Pier was almost destroyed by a fire on 5 October 2010
- West Pier in Brighton burned down in 2003
- The Indian Pavilion on Blackpool's North Pier was destroyed by fire in 1921
- South Parade Pier in Southsea was destroyed by a blaze in 1904
- Another fire in 1974 meant the pier needed rebuilding for a second time
Fortunately there doesn't appear to be any loss of life in the most recent fire which is a blessing.
It just serves as a reminder that one of nature's most powerfully destructive forces can devastate lives. People will now be out of work, possibly having lost their livlihood, the pier will, of course, be closed so visitors to the area have lost the chance of a pleasant stroll along the pier. What will be left are the ghoulish site see-ers who will flock to see what's left.
I suppose it would be too expensive to fire proof the piers and all the buildings they contain and so we could continue to lose these wonderful constructions. Ah, the summer days strolling hand in hand with a loved one to the end of the pier to gaze out to sea or watch the fishermen casting his rod. We do still have many of them left, thankfully.
Recent Comments
1
Good post, as my log home here in Canada was constructed around 1870 or before I appreciate the older buildings, sad to hear of fire destroying these. Take care.