The once proud Fleetwood Pier, built in the golden age of pier construction, fell earlier this week in a torrent of flames.

The fire began in the early hours of Tuesday and took 10 fire crews to dampen down.  The blaze reduced the pier and its associated buildings to their steel girders.

Huge flames could be seen rising into the sky as a large cloud of smoke billowed across the sea.  By 9am, much of the pier had been severely damaged.

Local Conservative Councillor, Mike Sanderson, said:

Local residents have been saying for some time that it will go up in smoke because it’s been empty and in disrepair for years.

Cllr Mike Sanderson

“In my view the inevitable has happened to Fleetwood Pier.  Local residents have been saying for some time that it will go up in smoke because it’s been empty and in disrepair for years.

“It’s too early to say how the blaze started but I am sure that speculation will be rife.”

The fire is thought to have started near the front of the pier and an investigation is now under way to try and determine the cause of the blaze.

ITN Report

Photographs of the Aftermath

For photographs of the aftermath from the Fleetwood pier fire, there are a selection on flickr, and on BBC News.

Further Links

For further information about the fire and the history of the pier, please see these following links:

• The Blackpool Gazette
• The Heritage Trail
• Wikipedia
• BBC News (video report)
• Councillor Mike Sanderson’s report (Wyre Council)