A large part of Eastbourne Pier was reduced to a burned out shell yesterday (30 July) after a blazing inferno tore through the Grade II-listed structure, destroying a significant amount of the visitor attraction.

More than 60 firefighters tackled the fire, which is believed to have broken out in the 144-year old pier’s arcade building. Crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from Eastbourne, Hastings and Newhaven were also on hand to assist firefighters. The building was successfully evacuated and no one was injured.

An eyewitness told AM2 she had seen the smoke from Brighton 20m (32km) away.

The pier was originally built in the 1870s and designed by Eugenius Birch. Today a number of cafés, bars and a nightclub occupy the pier space, which has been severely damaged by the fire.

The blaze is the latest in a series of catastrophes for Britain's 19th century seaside attractions. Hastings Pier was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 2010, while Weston-super-Mare Pier burned down in 2008 and West Pier in Brighton was destroyed by fire in 2003.

Speaking on behalf of the Tourism Alliance exclusively to AM2 Kurt Janson, policy director, said: "We feel for Eastbourne especially during their busiest part of the year as it's certainly going to have a big impact on tourism for them.

"Still, Eastbourne has a lot of great attractions which will hopefully be able to maintain the town and its visitor numbers while they get back into the swing of things."