Sadness by the Sea

Back blipped on 10/08/2014.

I was in a meeting with colleagues when we were told through an open window, from a still unknown bearer of bad news, that Eastbourne Pier was on fire. We could smell the smoke some 5-10 minutes in land, & the pictures we saw shortly after showed the severity of the incident.

I ventured down to the front after work, joining the crowds gathered around the police cordon, standing and watching in awe of the burning pier. By the time I made it there, some 3 hours after the fire had started, the blaze had already burnt the dome, leaving a blackened skeleton in it's place. The wind rippled along the coast and orange flames could still be seen licking up at what remained of the former arcade. Quite strangely, amongst the vast array of cameras and phone's recording the tragedy, life carried on in a fashion. People strolled and chilled along the sea front, & children were playing on the beach.

It was sad to see an iconic landmark spoilt so quickly & suddenly. Thankfully, the pier was not destroyed, no one was hurt too which seems a miracle, & with any luck it can be re-furbished.