Huge blaze engulfs Blackpool Central Pier – six days after the 152-year-old attraction reopened for visitors following lockdown
- The blaze started on the 152-year-old structure at around 3am but is now out
- Experts are assessing damage after it began in a workshop and spread to a ride
- Iconic 19th Century landmark reopened two weeks ago as restrictions lifted
- Dramatic pictures showed thick clouds of smoke and bright orange flames
Blackpool's historic Central Pier was engulfed by fire overnight just six days after the 152-year-old attraction reopened to the public following lockdown.
The blaze, which started at around 3am, required ten fire engines and 50 firefighters to bring it under control.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said they had put out the fire and are assessing the damage after it began in a workshop and spread to a ride.
Incident commander Mark Winder said in a video tweeted by the service that crews were called in the middle of the night to the 19th Century landmark.
The blaze, which is now extinguished, started on the 152-year-old structure at around 3am and required ten fire engines and 50 firefighters to bring it under control
An aerial view of Blackpool pier in Lancashire captured by a drone from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, showing the damage after the fire
Lancashire fire and rescue service said crews found a workshop and a ride well alight halfway along the pier just after 3am this morning
He said: 'The fire involved a workshop and a ride that are approximately halfway along the central pier.
'Fortunately early firefighter action has extinguished the fire to the extent there is no visible flame.'
An investigation was being conducted into the fire's cause, he added, and there are understood to be no injuries.A spokesman for the fire brigade said: 'Firefighters from Blackpool, South Shore and Bispham were called to reports of a fire at Central Pier, Blackpool, in the early hours.
'On arrival, firefighters requested further assistance, with an additional eight fire engines being called to attend along with the Command Support Unit from Fulwood and Aerial Support Unit.
'Firefighters found a building and pleasure ride on the pier well alight on arrival which they quickly brought under control using hose reel jets.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said they had put out the fire and are assessing the damage after it began in a workshop and spread to a ride
Fire crew pictured at the scene this morning. A spokesman from the fire service said the incident has been reduced to three fire engines and earlier road closures are being lifted
Fire crew dousing any remaining flames as the blaze extinguished this morning. There were around 20 firefighters tackling the fire from ground level, according to Mr Trotten
Nearby boats in flames as the fire slowly extinguishes early this morning
'Firefighters are currently still in attendance.'
As fire crews brought the blaze under control, the response was scaled back and three fire engines remained on site at 8am this morning.
The spokesman added: 'This incident has now been reduced to three fire engines.
'Crews will remain to monitor for any hotspots and damp down. An investigation into the cause of the fire will begin as soon as possible.
'Earlier road closures in place are now being lifted.'
The landmark engulfed in flames overnight. Security guard Lewis Totten said he smelled burning at his home in the town at around 3am and left to investigate the source
The blaze ripping through boats nearby and the amusement area. An investigation is being conducted into the fire's cause and there are understood to be no injuries
Blackpool's iconic 19th Century central pier has been hit by a blaze after reopening to the public two weeks ago as coronavirus restrictions were liftedMeanwhile, security guard Lewis Totten shot shocking videos of the pier engulfed in flames in the early hours of this morning from the beach.
The 22-year-old smelled burning at his home in the town at around 3am and left to investigate the source of the strange small half an hour later.
Upon arrival at the scene, a three-minute walk from his house, he saw the pier, built in 1868, was engulfed in flames and found several fire crews fighting the blaze.
He said: 'The fire was quite large. It seemed to be one big golden ball of flames. It looked like the Waltzers were on fire and it was very smoky.
'There were around 20 firefighters tackling the fire from ground level and only about two or three other passers-by at the time I was there.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Central Pier pictured before the blaze which started overnight
Incident commander Mark Winder said in a video tweeted by the service that crews were called in the middle of the night to the landmark
People stand by Blackpool's central pier after it was damaged by the now-extinguished fire
Firefighters are seen attending the aftermath of the overnight fire at Blackpool's central pier
Fire crew at the scene this morning. The Grade II listed North Pier is the oldest remaining example of a pier designed by celebrated seaside architect Eugenius Birch
'The pier is absolutely jam-packed with rides, stalls and shops - it's all fairly crammed in. I was meant to be working security at the pier at the weekend - but I guess that will be off now.'
Lewis stayed at the scene for around 20 minutes while firefighters fought back the flames at the popular tourist site, which only reopened a fortnight ago following easing of lockdown restrictions.
The Promenade around the pier was closed for a time, but has since reopened. The Central Pier is one of three in the town.
The Grade II listed North Pier opened in 1863 and is the oldest remaining example of a pier designed by celebrated seaside architect Eugenius Birch.
It suffered substantial storm damage in 2013.
Central Pier followed in 1868 and a 33m-high (108ft) Ferris Wheel, known as the Big Wheel, which is not thought to have been damaged in the blaze, was installed in 1990.
South Pier, originally called Victoria Pier, is the youngest of the three structures, opening in 1893.
The fascinating history behind Blackpool's iconic 19th Century landmark
The foundation of Blackpool's North Pier was created after the waste from excavations for the railway station were discarded onto the seashore.
A group gathered in 1861 to consider building a pier, in reaction to another pier opening nearby at Southport.
The North Pier was designed by celebrated seaside architect Eugenius Birch and building began in 1862, with a Town Crier making an announcement.
Children paddling in front of the pier at Blackpool circa 1900
The central beach and esplanade at the Blackpool seaside resort, circa 1880's
More than 20,000 people are thought to have joined in on the celebrations when the Pier opened, with a cannon being used to officially mark the event.
The town hosted its first regatta with two high priests, the voluntary artillery and deputations of Freemasons amongst those to attend.
What is now known as the Central Pier, formerly the South Pier, was built in 1867 and designed by J.I. Mawson.
It was opened in May 1868 and part of the area became an open-air theatre in 1949 and the dance floor becoming the New Theatre in 1967.
A fire broke out at the Dixieland Palace/Golden Goose complex in 1937 and the area was rebuilt, with the building now containing a nightclub and arcade.
The 33m-high (108ft) Ferris Wheel was added in 1990 at a cost estimated at approximately £750,000 alongside an amusement park, dodgems and waltzers.
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