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Started by teenage arsonists at about 1am on 5th October 2010. The fire destroyed almost all of the pier's buildings. 50 firefighters tackled the blaze which smouldered for 4 days.

Hastings town centre and surrounding areas were engulfed by smoke well into the afternoon and the main A259 coastal road was closed near the pier causing large congestion on surrounding roads.

Hastings Borough Council were in the process of compulsory purchasing Hastings pier and just days before had opened a competition for architects to put forward designs for the pier.

The pier also caught fire in 1917.

Opened 1872 - Closed 2007 - Length 910ft

The pier was closed in 2006 and 2007 due to structural decay, and was due to be restored after the council had completed a compulsory purchase order.

On 5th October 2010, the pier was set alight by arsonists destroying most of the buildings. This was just hours after a competition was opened to redesign the pier. Despite taking four days to put out, the pier itself was said to be structurally sound, and the competition was still run, with a firm chosen.

In November 2012 a £11.4million lottery grant was awarded towards the pier rebuild. The total cost is only estimated at £13.9 million as the accommodation will be signicantly smaller than its original form.

It is set to reopen in March 2016.

Also see Pleasure Piers of Great Britain Link