Southport Pier, which is the oldest iron pier in the country, was seen on fire on the weekend – the blaze reached to a cafe and under the pier, after a hut caught on fire
Emergency services rushed to a historic pier after it went up in flames over the weekend – disappointing locals who were strongly anticipating for it to re-open.
Firefighters tended to a blaze in Southport Pier after a hut at the attraction was found on fire, which spread to around 20 metres by five metres on and below the pier. Sadly, the fire also reached to a cafe in the early hours of Sunday.
The grade II listed pier, which dates back to 165 years, was thought to be on fire due to an electrical fault. A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire crews were called to Southport Pier, on the promenade in Southport last night, August 31. Crews were alerted at 11.48pm and on scene at 11.54pm, with three fire engines in attendance. Crews arrived to find a hut on fire on the pier affecting an area around 20 metres by five metres on and below the pier.
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“Crews secured water supplies and began to fight the fire, which had spread to a café building, using main branch hoses both on the pier and from below it. The main body of fire was extinguished by around 12.50am on the morning of September 1 and firefighters continued to damp down the scene and monitor for hot spots, with the fire completely extinguished by 1.34am.
“Crews left the scene after handing over to Sefton Council and security staff at 2.08am. The fire is believed to have been accidental, the cause being an electrical fault.” The devastating fire occurred just two months after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the government’s intention to support the re-opening of Southport Pier, which was “temporarily closed for essential maintenance” in 2022, reports Liverpool Echo.
It was closed by Sefton Council on the advice of structural engineers after a period of extreme weather. Necessary repairs were estimated to cost a whopping £13 million. The closure of the pier had a significant impact on the town’s leisure and tourism offer, with many residents and business owners keen to see the pier re-opened.
In July, Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson confirmed that restoration works could start “within six week to eight weeks” of new government cash being confirmed. On BBC Radio Merseyside’s “The Hot Seat”, she said: “We knew how important it was to people and our MP Patrick Hurley absolutely smashed it with this. We are delighted. We just need to wait and see the detail of it. We’re ready to go within six to eight weeks. I think it will probably take between 12 to 14 months for it to go from start to finish.”
Stretching out a staggering 3,600 ft (around 0.68 miles), Southport Pier is the second longest in the UK. Once host to famous entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin in the early 20th century, it later fell into disrepair, leading to the council proposing its demolition in 1990.
The historic pier was saved by a single vote, much to the relief of Southport residents. Its 2022, closure marks the second time the much-abused structure has been shut off to the public due to safety concerns, mirroring a similar closure in the 1990s which lead to a £7.2m restoration in 2000-2002.
The recent closure sparked outrage amongst locals and tourists alike. One Warrington visitor posted to TripAdvisor: “Still can’t believe that Southport has been allowed to decline even further, the council do not seem to be bothered.
“After allowing what was one of the go to town centres to decline over the past years, now the pier is shut. What can’t the council get help to regenerate the area, it was such a nice place to visit, Blackpool had its air show today and it was free to watch, plus you could go on the pier to view.”
Another person said: “I found that Southport in general is in decline with lots of shops shut down and the promenade in a poor state. As I come from Blackpool, although not perfect, it is in a better state than Southport. The actual pier is empty with no seats, bars, cafes or amusements.”
