Blaze at famous pier being treated as arson

A BLAZE which swept through Brighton’s ill-fated West Pier yesterday is being treated as arson, the fire brigade said.

More than a thousand people gazed from the beach and promenade as flames consumed the pavilion on the historic building yesterday morning. A black speedboat was seen near the derelict pier just 10 minutes before the fire was spotted, according to East Sussex Fire Brigade. Sussex Police have appealed for the driver of the speedboat to come forward. The fire comes after parts of the pier collapsed into the sea in December last year and again in January.

Just last month, plans were made to offer the historic pier a £30 million salvage package.

Despite fierce opposition, Brighton and Hove City Council voted in favour of the plans to restore the pier and build modern cafes and bars at the promenade end. Its owner, the West Pier Trust, is “puzzled” at how the fire could have started, but remains determined to restore the pier “no matter what”.

The fire brigade were called to the blaze at 9.48am and about a dozen police officers cordoned off the scene for the safety of bystanders.