This Article is From Aug 01, 2014

Police Say UK Pier Fire May Have Been Arson

Police Say UK Pier Fire May Have Been Arson

People sun bathe in front of the burnt out remains of the Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, Thursday July 31, 2014, after a huge fire engulfed the historic Pier on Wednesday.

London: British police say a fire that gutted a landmark seaside pier in southern England may have been started deliberately.

Sussex Police said on Friday that they were treating the blaze at the 144-year-old Eastbourne Pier as suspicious.

No one was injured in Wednesday's fire, which destroyed about a third of the 1,000 foot-long (300 metre-long) structure.

Prime Minister David Cameron visited Eastbourne, 70 miles (110 kilometres) south of London, on Friday and promised 2 million pounds ($3.4 million) to help the local tourist economy. He said the owners of the pier were determined to rebuild it.

Dozens of pleasure piers are dotted along the English coast, offering entertainment venues, fast-food outlets and amusement arcades.
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