Inferno engulfs historic pier

A huge blaze has turned a Somerset pier into an "inferno", according to eyewitnesses. Thirty firefighters are involved in attempts to put out the flames at the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, hampered in their attempts by a low tide. The column of smoke from the fire can be seen as far away as Wales.

Dee Williams, deputy manager of a nearby hotel, said: "It is an inferno. There will be no pier by tonight. There are loud bangs going off, which could be fireworks because there was a display on there recently. The tide is out and I think they are having difficulty getting water to it."

He added: "The pier was bought by new owners and done up recently, it is part of our identity and would really affect trade if we were to lose it."

Avon Fire and Rescue said they had six engines in attendance.