England’s historic Eastbourne Pier swept by fire

The 140-year-old Eastbourne Pier has been destroyed by fire. It was the scene of countless parties, picnics, weddings and family outings through the decades. The blaze is said to have broken out in one of the arcade buildings and spread quickly. Experts in fire protection noted the vulnerability of many of the U-K’s entertainment piers. Fire on a pier is hard to fight because it is usually inaccessible. There is also a view that piers are often built or repaired in a shoddy fashion.