Bexhill firefighters called to inferno which engulfed pier

At its height, more than 40 firefighters and eight fire engines from across East Sussex converged on the scene in a desperate bid to save the Victorian icon.

The main pump and control unit from Bexhill's Beeching Road fire station were sent to assist, and crews from as far afield as Hove were called out to provide cover for stations which had personnel sent to the fire itself.

At the time the alarm was raised, Bexhill fire station was on its overnight retained crews status, and firefighters were summoned from their beds at home by pagers.

The fire started on Hastings pier at around 1am.

It spread to the middle section from the far end due to a change in wind direction before moving to the front part.

The pier was closed in 2006 amid health and safety concerns after parts of the metal support underneath were falling into the sea.

Campaigners from the Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust were hoping to secure community ownership of the pier with the backing of the borough council and had only met the night before to finalise a business plan with the view of reopening the front section.

The 910-feet long pier was designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1872.

Two St Leonards men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested in connection with Tuesday's fire and have been bailed until Tuesday November 2.