WEDNESDAY marked 44 years since an inferno ripped through Southend Pier.
On July 29, 1976, flames engulfed the pier and smoke billowed into the sky, causing £1million of damage.
Hundreds of shocked visitors were forced to flee the scene by boat and train.
Thankfully, those who were on the world’s longest pleasure pier when the blaze broke out were able to escape to safety.
Catastrophe - hundreds of people fled from the scene as the four-hour inferno caused an estimated £1million worth of damage
Strong winds also fanned the flames as the dramatic fire was watched by thousands of holiday-makers on beaches on both sides of the estuary.
Firemen tackled the blaze from tug boats and the pier itself.
Destroyed - the fire lasted four hours
Two firemen were injured as they attempted to put out the inferno and it remains a mystery as to how the fire began.
READ MORE
- Southend Pier trains to roll out again from TODAY
- Coronavirus deaths: How Covid-19 has hit south Essex
Awful scenes - smoke billows into the south Essex sky
Initial reports suggested the blaze, which lasted four hours, started near a restaurant.
The next day, the Evening Echo reported: “The cause of the blaze may never be known.”
Concern - residents gather along the seafront to witness the fire
Another fire broke out in the pier’s bowling alley a year later, while the railway was forced to close for safety reasons in 1978.
After a lengthy campaign, the pier was restored in 1984 and a new railway followed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel