West Pier in flames again

Fire-raiser's target still alight and is left to burn

The Argus Monday, 12 May, 2003

FIRE today again ripped through the remains of Brighton's arson-target West Pier as a hotspot from yesterday's blaze flared back into flames.

Strong winds fanned the embers and the blaze quickly grew, with flames licking through the roof of the surviving portion of the crumpled Victorian theatre.

Firefighters were alerted to the latest blaze at just before noon but did not take action - the charred concert hall had been condemned as too dangerous to enter following the spectacular arson fire in the early of hours of yesterday.

A decision was made today to allow the flames to burn themselves out rather than risk officers' safety.

Dr Geoff Lockwood, chief executive of the Brighton West Pier Trust, said: "This fire will finish it up."

Scores of sight-seers dashed to the seafront to watch as the ornate but crumpled wooden structure was engulfed in smoke.

Neighbours and guests at nearby hotels kept windows closed to keep out the fumes as thick smoke poured inland and on to busy Kings Road

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire Service said: "It is too dangerous for us to fight the flames and there isn't much left of the pier to burn anyway."

Dr Lockwood and the trust's general manager Rachel Clark could only watch helplessly from their office on the pier today as the fire grew.

Dr Lockwood said: "They told us there were still some hot spots in the roofing felt and it seems they have re-ignited. The fire has broken out again."

Yesterday, before the theatre became too dangerous, Dr Lockwood looked inside and said there was much of it that could have still been saved.

He said: "Now it looks as if that will go. I can see this fire will finish it up. I am desperately disappointed the fire cannot be tackled."

Yesterday's blaze has been blamed on opponents of the West Pier's restoration carrying out a "professional sabotage."

Dr Lockwood said: "Our opponents will think they have won again. But we will not be beaten or bullied."

The only hope for the pier was today's forecast rain.

Giuseppe Colasurdo owner of the Al Fresco restaurant near the pier, said: "Yesterday the fire brigade were here all morning and there was a bit of smoke.

"But today it's really burning. They spent all this time and effort and it's just started again.

"I called the fire brigade and they said they were just going to have to let it burn.

"I think it's terrible."

City council Tory group leader Brian Oxiey said he would be calling for security to be stepped up to prevent future attacks on whatever survives today's blaze.

He said: "The ongoing tragedy of the West Pier is a real problem for the city.

"I shall be seeing the council's chief executive later today and I will be raising questions about the security of the site and what needs to be done to ensure this key landmark is preserved until its future is secured."

The West Pier's owners earlier vowed to carry on with restoration despite the second arson attack in a matter of weeks. Scores of people watched as flames leapt from the pier's stricken concert hall early yesterday .

At the end of March, crowds had also gathered at the historic landmark as fire ripped through its theatre, leaving nothing but a burnt-out shell.

Both blazes are being treated as arson but police have not said whether they are being linked.

There are reports that a man was seen climbing on to the pier shortly before yesterday's fire, which started just after 2am.

Firefighters found piles of burning rubbish and wood inside the concert hall.

After the first blaze, a man who called himself Piers Burns contacted The Argus to claim responsibility, saying he was protesting about the conflict in Iraq.

Dr Lockwood said: "Last time it was either gangsters, fanatics or anarchists.

"The fact fire has been reported in several places looks like it was a professional job. I think someone is deliberately trying to sabotage the pier. I don't think it's a random amateur anarchist."

Dr Lockwood blamed legal battles for the delay in restoration and said it meant the pier was in a much worse state than it should have been. He said: "I am very angry. If we had stood here two years ago and looked at the pier, it was almost intact. We were taking the public round for tours.

"Yet here, two years later, it has been hit by a number of disasters. That pier would have been well on its way if it wasn't for the lawyers.."

Delays have been caused by objections from the Noble Organisation, owners of the nearby Palace Pier, who say National Lottery cash should not be used to fund the project.

The weekend fire was spotted by a security officer, employed to guard the pier since the first attack, who called the emergency services.

Firefighters from East Sussex and Brighton and Hove laid hosepipes along the narrow walkway connecting the pier to the seafront and were able to tackle the blaze near the concert hall.

Scores of clubbers gathered to watch the spectacle as flames shot out of the collapsed concert hall and the glow of the fire could be seen along the coast.

Fire crews remained at the scene throughout yesterday as small pockets of fire kept flaring up.

Station Officer Ron Kirkwood, in charge at the scene, sent crews as far as possible along the walkway but kept them at a safe distance as they trained hoses on the flames.

As the blaze died down, a fire crew was able to enter the collapsed concert hall and fight the remains of the fire from the safety of the walkway.

Station Officer Danny Sherman, based at Roedean, said: "We are pretty sure the fire was started deliberately because there are several pockets of fire. It's a shame someone does seem to have it in for this particular structure."

Dozens of residents and visitors poured on to the beach during the day to take a look at the smouldering building.

Many took photos while others grabbed burnt embers from the water as souvenirs before the area was cordoned off by city council workers.

Visitor Chris Davey said: "It's a shame such a great piece of Brighton history is in such a state."

Another onlooker said: "Its terrible. Hundreds of birds evicted after the first blaze found refuge in that building. Goodness knows where they will go now."

Consultant engineers from Helmsley Orrell were called in to inspect the damage. One, John Scatchard, said the structure appeared to be stable but he had warned firefighters to get off if they heard any groaning or creaking.

Hove resident Ian Divall said: "It's a disgrace we are stood here watching this again It's just very sad someone is so determined to destroy it. I can't believe it has happened again."

Roger Hinton, chairman of the Regency Square Area Society, said although he had opposed the enabling development to fund the pier's restoration he was shocked it had been targeted again.

"It has reached the stage where it will be a replica rather than a restoration and don't think £15 million of public money should be spent on a replica. It is time to let it go."

A Sussex Police spokesman said the cause of the blaze was being investigated.

He said there had been reports of fireworks being let off on the seafront near the pier before the fire started.