Accidents - Disasters - Fires - Floods - Tragedies
Oct. 10, 1959 - South-end pier fire 500 trapped: More than 500 trippers were trapped at the end of South end Pier last night when fire wrecked the famous Pier Pavilion near the shore. They were saved by the bravery of firemen who dashed through the blazing Pavilion and stopped the flames as they were sweeping seawards. As the firemen fought to control the blaze, the tide dropped. Hopes of getting the trapped 500 off the longest seaside pier in the world, faded. A hundred were rescued after they had climbed down steel girders into boats sent from the shore. The others waited until the blaze was put cut and they were then led to safety past the smoking wreckage. Photo shows scene during last night's fire which wrecked the famous Pier Pavilion at South end
