Fire tears through seaside pierThirty firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at the Grand Pier in the Somerset seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare.
Black smoke and flames are billowing into the sky and are said to be visible from as far away as Cardiff and Bristol.
One witness told the BBC the fire broke out at the foot of the West Tower.
BBC Radio Bristol reporter Nigel Dando, who is at the scene, said: "It looks as if the pier has collapsed on itself. Nothing is going to be saved."
"I'm about 200 yards away from the fire, there'll be nothing left after this fire, it's a desperately sad scene."
The fire broke out at the foot of the West Tower. Photo: Penny Broomhall
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Dee Williams, deputy manager of the Grand Atlantic Hotel, which lies 200 yards from the pier, said: "It is an inferno. There will be no pier by tonight.
"There are loud bangs going off, which could be fireworks because there was a display on there recently. The tide is out and I think they are having difficulty getting water to it. "My night porter spotted the flames at 7.15am. There are lots of people about, watching the fire, and the police have blocked off the road.
"The pier was bought by new owners and done up recently, it is part of our identity and would really affect trade if we were to lose it."
Jacquie Whelan, owner of Sunfold Hotel on Beach Road, said: "I just looked out of the window about 10 minutes ago when I woke up and could not believe what I was seeing.
"It is the most horrendous thing. There are massive red flames, hundreds of feet in the air, all over the pier.
"We are a five minute walk to the pier and from where I am standing it just looks like a huge bonfire. It is not going to survive."
Bruce Watson, who works at the Sovereign shopping centre opposite the Grand Pier, said: "The fire has taken complete control of the pier, they won't be able to repair it..
Fire at Grand Pier: Picture by Peter Tyler
Your pictures: Weston pier fire
"It's just a shell virtually now, the flames are hundreds of feet high and the smoke into thousands of feet."
Police have placed a cordon around the pier and beach and advised people to avoid the area.
The quarter-of-a-mile-long pier, which attracts thousands of visitors a year, reopened in April after a massive revamp.
It was owned by the Brenner family for three generations and had only changed hands three times since it opened in 1904.
Earlier this year, it was sold in a multi-million pound deal to brother and sister Michelle and Kerry Michael.
Relatives of Mr Michael said he left the country yesterday for a holiday in Spain.
Speaking from his home in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare, a woman, who asked not to be named, said Mr Michael was aware of the situation and was likely to return home as soon as possible.
Foundations safe
Stephanie Mounsey, from Avon Fire and Rescue, said the pier, which is supported by iron girders, was not at risk of collapse.
She said fire officers were first notified of a blaze at 0645 BST.
Ms Mounsey added: "There is plenty of water on it and things look like they are getting under control.
"We believe the foundations should be safe."
Christopher Donkin, manager of Seaquarium aquarium in Marine Parade, some 500 yards from the pier, was alerted to the fire by a colleague as he drove to work.
He said: "Fortunately, we're not in danger, no other properties are in any other danger.
"The fire brigade have put a wall of water along the walkway between the seafront and the end of the pier.
"Traffic this morning was absolutely chock-a-block.
"When I first saw the fire, to be honest my first thoughts were for the livelihoods of people who work here.
"It's Weston's number one attraction. It's full of childhood memories.
"All those people's livelihoods and businesses - where will they go?"
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Quelle: www.bbc.co.uk
