Local landmarks

9th September 2008: The historic Fleetwood Pier was destroyed by a fire which started in the early hours.

Eyewitnesses described the scene to Tony Livesey...

Andy - a lifelong Fleetwood resident - told Tony how he was glad to see the back of the eyesore...

Ian Blezard took this photo of the pier

Brenda Cartmell worked at the pier for 25 years and could vaguely remember the last fire in 1952. She told BBC Radio Lancashire's David Saville and Steve Royle her memories of the pier...

Clare Howarth from Fleetwood Museum tells David Saville about the history of the pier...

Fleetwood Pier picture by Chris Morton

The owner of Fleetwood Pier told John Gillmore he is "absolutely devastated" by the fire that has destroyed the pier which wasn't insured. Mike Simmons, also known as comedian Joey Blower, had promised a new lease of life for the pier by converting it into luxury apartments, but hundreds of people signed a petition objecting to the plans. He says the fire has come as a great shock and he doesn't know what will happen now...

Fleetwood Pier was rebuilt in 1953 after being damaged by a fire in 1952.

The blaze on 25 August 1952 started in the cinema and created an inferno that could be seen from 20 miles away.

The day after the fire. Picture by Eileen Wicks

The attraction was first built in 1910 - the last to be constructed in the "golden age" of pier building, from 1860 to 1910.

It was built with a promenade deck and 600ft long jetty with an ornate oriental-style pavilion, which opened to the public in 1911. 

The pier continued to remain profitable throughout the declining years of the seaside resort, even receiving a £70,000 facelift in 1972.

But in recent years it had gone through changes of ownership and uncertainty over its future.

26th September 2008: The decision is made to demolish the remains of the pier as the structure is too unstable. A report finds the concrete platform at the very end of the pier should also be demolished in the interests of public safety.