BREAKING: Fire rips through Eastbourne Pier
A fire has engulfed the historic Eastbourne Pier in Sussex, UK.
About 60 firefighters are battling the blaze, which broke out in the arcade building. The Grade II listed pier has been evacuated and there are no reports of any injuries.
An eyewitness told AM2 she had seen the smoke from Brighton 20m (32km) away.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has said in a statement that it is believed the fire started behind some wood panelling.
Mark Sawyer, who is the coxwain of Eastbourne Lifeboat, told the BBC: "The main structure is gone now and it's a metal shell.
"The fire has spread to the middle section and it's burning frantically. There was a large cheer from the crowd when the hoses arrived, but it's now looking ominous."
The 1,000ft (305m) pier was built in the 1870s and designed by Eugenius Birch. According to the Piers Society, previously had a theatre and a "camera obscura" built on it, while today, a number of cafes, bars and a nightclub are situated on the pier.
The blaze is the latest in a series of catastrophes for Britain's seaside attractions. Hastings Pier was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 2010, Weston-super-Mare Pier burned down in 2008 and West Pier in Brighton burned down in 2003.
Speaking on behalf of the Tourism Alliance exclusively to AM2 Kurt Janson, policy director, said: "We feel for Eastbourne especially during their busiest part of the year as it's certainly going to have a big impact on tourism for them.
"Still, Eastbourne has a lot of great attractions which will hopefully be able to maintain the town and its visitor numbers while they get back into the swing of things."
A police spokeswoman said: "It has been confirmed that the pier was safely and quickly evacuated and there was no-one trapped by the fire when it broke out.
"The fire is not believed to be suspicious at this time."
The general public has also been tweeting about the fire, sharing memories and reflections of the attraction.
@Hayzi_ "Sad to see Eastbourne pier engulfed in flames. Lived a minute walk away at Uni and saw it every day. Good luck firefighters, stay safe."
@MartinGoodman2 "Eastbourne pier: fire crews tackle blaze. Here's hoping much can be salvaged. It's a gem of a pier."
@Gav26: "Can't believe what is happening to Eastbourne Pier, I was only on there Saturday buying sweets. Devastated #eastbournepier"
@sjbland_ "Genuinely gutted about the Eastbourne pier."
@Polly_Evans "Eastbourne Pier considered one of the nicest in Britain & one of the last surviving by Victorian designer Eugenius Birch..."
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Three years after Pegasus Capital bought Six Senses, how close is the private equity firm to realising its goals for its first spa and hospitality investment? Pegasus’ founder Craig Cogut tells us what’s been achieved and what comes next
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen