Hastings Pier blaze destroys most of historic structure
A massive fire has destroyed most of Hastings Pier - and the structure is still burning.
Hundreds of people headed to the pier to watch as eight fire engines battled to contain the blaze.
The fire, which started at around 1am, initially looked like it would stop at the ballroom on the far end.
However, a change in wind direction saw the flames spread to the middle section and then to the apron - the only part of the 140-year-old pier which was still deemed safe by Hastings Borough Council.
The Hastings and White Rock Pier Trust had met just last night to finalise its business plan - a business plan based around opening up that front section for business.
But within a matter of ten minutes, those plans appeared to be dashed as the units on the left hand side of the front section disappeared under a torrent of flames.
The gathered crowds were then moved back further along the seafront as the smoke began to engulf large areas of White Rock.
By 8.30am most of the fire had been put up, leaving the pier looking a shell of its former self.
And Hastings Borough Council called an emergancy meeting for 9.30am at the town hall to discuss its next move.
Buy Friday's Hastings Observer for reports, interviews and more pictures.
Do you have pictures of the blaze? Maybe you took some video footage? Email observer@trbeckett.co.uk with your photographs or call 01424 856780.
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
