The pier as seen from a Kent based webcam late Sunday [IOSSC]
Southend pier, the longest pier in the world at 2,138 metres, has caught fire for the fourth time in its chequered history. The latest incident has occurred at the end of the structure and twelve appliances were in attendance late Sunday night with more than 50 fire fighters struggling against the blaze. Water supplies proved to be a problem, and a fire tug was ordered to the scene. Crews were expected to be fighting the incident throughout the night. There are no current reports of injuries. The pier has been devastated by fire in 1959, 1976 and 1995. It has also been hit by a boat, the MV Kingsabbey, which caused severe damage to the pier in 1986. The pier was built at the mouth of the River Thames in 1889. Situated 50 km to the east of London in the county of Essex, it has been a tourist attraction ever since.
[23:30 GMT 09/10/2005]
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