2003 was a catastrophic year for the West Pier. On 28th March the Pavilion was destroyed in an arson attack, and then on 11th May the Concert Hall, already seriously damaged in a huge storm the previous December, was also deliberately set on fire.
Then in March 2003, the pavilion and further sections of the pier were destroyed by a massive fire. This was followed only two months later in May 2003 by a further fire which reduced the concert hall to a burnt out shell, which itself later collapsed into the sea during a storm the following year.
The pier has experienced several fires, notably in 1959, 1976, 1995 and 2005. The fire in 1976 was followed by another a year later, during a period when the pier was already in decline and resulted in the closure of the railway.
On 22 October 2008 at a news conference held by the fire brigade it was announced that the cause of the fire would be recorded as unknown, but that the most likely cause was electrical.
The number of animals that died in the Grenfell Tower fire is unknown. As pets were allowed in the building, it can be assumed that some animals died in the blaze.
A fire broke out on Pier 45 at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco early Saturday morning, 23 May, destroying a warehouse and as much as USD 4 million (EUR 3.6 million) worth of commercial fishing gear inside.
Ryde Pier is a fascinating historic structure. It's the UK's oldest pier and the second-longest seaside pier in the country. The original structure opened in 1814 and was extended in 1824 and by 1842 it had reached its current length of half a mile.
Fire crews were alerted that the pier was on fire at just after 3pm on July 30 2014. This video was filmed early evening (July 30) as the fire crews were still working hard to keep the fire under control.
Originally the West Pier had an open deck with only six small ornamental houses of oriental design, two toll houses and glass screens at the pier head to protect visitors from the wind and sun. In 1875 a central bandstand was added.
Brighton's West Pier was used for filming a few scenes in Carry On Girls. The once magnificent structure was the main setting for Richard Attenborough's 1969 film of 'Oh! What A Lovely War,' too.
The list, compiled by The Telegraph, assessed piers based on historical significance, amenities, condition, and links to Victorian heritage. Southend Pier ranked higher than other famous piers such as Brighton Palace Pier, Cromer Pier, and Clacton Pier.
The Christmas Eve storm of 1997 destroyed the landing jetty, including the helipad. The North Pier is one of the few remaining examples of Birch's classic pier architecture and is a Grade II Listed building, the only Blackpool pier to hold that status.
Brighton Pier has been a popular filming location for decades, appearing in iconic productions like Quadrophenia (1979), featuring in music videos for artists like Sam Smith and Utada Hikaru, and even getting a 1950s makeover for the period drama My Policeman (2022). From classic B-movies to modern music videos and dramas, the pier offers an iconic backdrop for capturing British seaside culture, with its amusement arcades, rides, and unique atmosphere frequently featured in film and TV.
1976. In 1976 a fire destroyed much of the pier head. The massive blaze was battled by fire fighters working on the pier and from boats, and even using a crop-spraying light aircraft.
ABC7 News reporter Leslie Brinkley stands at the edge of a collapsed section of the San Francisco Bay Bridge after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. A span of the Bay Bridge also collapsed during that quake, killing one person.
The ringing of 20 bells at firefighter funerals is a time -honored tradition that symbolizes the end of the emergency and the return to quarters. This ceremony, known as the 'Tolling of the Bell,' celebrates the completion of the firefighter's duty and pays tribute to their service.
The number 343 refers to the 343 FDNY firefighters (Fire Department of New York) who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, while responding to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, making it a profound symbol of courage, ultimate sacrifice, and brotherhood within the fire service and beyond. This number honors their selfless bravery as they rushed into the burning towers to save others, embodying duty and heroism.
Robert Redford, Bette Davis, Alan Arkin, Eartha Kitt, Erica Jong, Mariette Hartley, Harry Reasoner, Donna Summer and many more. Currently, Weston is home to Keith Richards, Jose Feliciano, Lucie Arnaz & James Naughton and Christopher Plummer who sadly passed away earlier this week.
Tamar Court is a purpose built scheme offering safe, secure and independent living for those over the age of 55. A luxurious retirement village, the scheme is made up of 65 self-contained properties offering a range of supporting facilities and services, designed to help you live independently.
Weston-super-Mare has recently hosted filming for the BBC's Father Brown (Season 13) and the upcoming BBC drama Dream Lands, using locations like the seafront and High Street for scenes set in the near-future. Other productions filmed there include the sitcom Sandylands (which used the town as its fictional setting) and scenes for Sanditon, with notable spots being the Tropicana and Marine Lake. Classic shows like Shoestring and The Cafe also used the location.
