Eastbourne Pier On Fire As Arcade Catches Light

A fire has erupted at Eastbourne Pier after one of the arcade buildings caught light at the popular seaside resort.

Six fire engines are at the scene battling the blaze after police evacuated scores of tourists and beachgoers from the attraction.

Three lifeboats have also been launched amid reports some people may have leapt from the pier into the sea.

Dave Clarke, a witness, told Sky News: "The front of the pier is totally alight. Smoke is going hundreds of feet into the air and is being blown down the beach. It is totally out of control at the moment.

Crowds look on in shock and awe at the blaze

"There are helicopters overhead and they have closed the roads off down here.

"There are lifeboats to make sure there is nobody stuck at the end of the pier."

He added: "I was just walking along and getting an ice-cream for my boy when I saw smoke coming out the main building.

"People are relatively calm, but shocked."

Some 10 fire engines are at the scene

Chris Caulfield, a guest house owner in the area, said: "It is one of the biggest attractions in Eastbourne.

"It is such a shame that this has happened. It is shocking."

She said the pier was "exceptionally maintained" and "vital" to business in the area.

"People of all ages went onto that pier: It is just going to be devastating when this is gone."

Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd, who's office is situated near the attraction, said he hoped the pier, which was built in 1870, was "rescuable".

"if this had happened at night, there can sometimes be upwards of 700-800 young people there, and so thankfully that has happened, but obviously we are looking at a disaster here," said the Liberal Democrat.

"We are praying the fire can be put out before too much damage is done. A good three quarters of the pier, behind the front, looks to be in tact," he added.

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